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The Artists' Trail in Greccio: the village of the first nativity scene is now an open-air gallery
In the village of Greccio, where in 1223 Saint Francis of Assisi created the first living nativity scene, the walls of houses are now canvases. The Artists' Trail (Sentiero degli Artisti) is a route winding through alleyways, small squares and stairways, from the Museum of Nativity Scenes to the most hidden-away corners, showcasing 26 works painted by international artists on the village’s house walls. It is an open-air contemporary art gallery.
Artists from around the world tell the story of Francis
The initiative was launched in 2011, funded by the Lazio Region as part of its programme for the regeneration of small historic towns. Through an open public call, painters came from Brazil, Iraq, France, China, the Czech Republic and Italy. Grace Ramos, director of the Academy of Fine Arts of Salvador de Bahia, Ali Al Jabir, Zha da Praga, Tao Jung Mose, all made their contributions to decorating the walls of this village of 1,500 inhabitants. And local homeowners made their façades available. The unifying thread is that of promoting the Franciscan ideals of peace, brotherhood and simplicity.
Francis's rock
Along the route, visitors come upon a wayside shrine housing the boulder onto which Francis would climb to preach to the people of Greccio. Strolling around the medieval architecture, you look up and see contemporary art. The contrast is intentional. There are no tickets, no opening hours.
