Manarola Nativity - Largest Lighted Nativity in The World

Manarola, Italy is home to the world’s largest, lighted nativity scene. Manarola is a picturesque village located on the Italian Riviera, in part of the famous Cinque Terre (Five Lands) in the Liguria region of Northern Italy. The nativity was the brainchild of local resident Mario Andreoli, a retired railway worker, who began the project in 1976 and continued enhancing his nativity until his death in 2022.

The entire nativity scene which includes over 300 life sized figures including Baby Jesus, Mary, Joseph, shepherds, cows, camels, donkeys, fishermen, sheep, dolphins, seagulls, camels, angels, the three Magi and many more figures is entirely made from recycled materials and uses 8 km of electric cables and 17,000 light bulbs is powered by a photovoltaic system

The nativity covered the entire hill above Manarola. Each year on December 8^th, the day of Immaculate Conception the remarkable nativity is lit for all to see, and the nativity is relit every evening until the end of January. Today the Manarola Nativity Scene Mario Andreoli Association is dedicated to continuing the magnificent work of Mr. Andreoli.