When winter envelops the Tuscan Maremma with its softest lights, there is a place where the enchantment of the Nativity scenes seems to take physical form: Montorsaio, a small village perched on a hill at about 384 meters above sea level, belonging to the Municipality of Campagnatico and suspended between medieval history and popular tradition.
Walking through the narrow stone streets of this village, you immediately sense its ancient beauty: the ancient houses, the walls that tell centuries of history, and the central square – the Cisterna – become the perfect stage for one of Tuscany's most charming Christmas traditions.
A timeless Christmas atmosphere
Every year, from December 8th to January 6th, Montorsaio transforms into the "Town of Nativity Scenes": dozens, even hundreds, of Nativity scenes—large, small, fantastical, or meticulous—spring up in every corner of the village. In the squares, on window sills, in cellars, among vases and barrels, every glimpse tells a different scene, a sacred story reinterpreted by passionate hands.
The tradition of Montorsaio's nativity scenes dates back to 1985, when the community, then with just a few terracotta statues depicting the town's inhabitants, welcomed the public to Piazza della Cisterna for the first time with a handmade Nativity scene. Since then, year after year, this display has grown to become the beating heart of the local Christmas festivities, transforming every alleyway into a living tale of creativity.
The charm lies not only in the works: it's in the light that comes on at sunset, when the nativity scene lights touch the ancient stones, creating an atmosphere suspended between the sacred and the profane, between memory and magic. It's here that children and adults alike stop, smile, and be enchanted.
Creativity and community
The distinctive feature of Montorsaio's nativity scenes is their collective nature. The creations are not simple artistic displays: they are the fruit of a collaborative effort, made of patient gestures and often natural materials, capable of transforming roots, stone, wood, and cork into meaningful representations.
The village women, with their expert hands, enliven the Christmas markets set up in the old stables and cellars, offering embroidered doilies, knitted items, and small, unique objects that express the tenacity of ancient traditions. Meanwhile, mulled wine and "donzelle," typical fried bread pastries, accompany visitors' strolls, making the experience a sensory as well as spiritual journey.
History and landscape
Montorsaio is more than just nativity scenes: it's a village recounting centuries of history, suspended between medieval walls, alleyways, and the remains of a past that speaks of castles, markets, and rulers. The first documented mention of the village dates back to 1178, when it was already a flourishing castle under local lords, and then under the control of Siena until the 16th century, before becoming an integral part of the Grand Duchy of Tuscany.
The village overlooks a landscape of woods, chestnut groves, and olive groves, offering views that stretch from Mount Amiata to the Maremma coast. From the nearby square, the gaze embraces a seemingly endless horizon, while the wind carries with it the scents of Mediterranean scrub and ancient stories.
The proximity to Casa Olivo
Casa Olivo is located a few kilometers from Montorsaio, nestled in the same land of hills and olive groves, and our farm shares the authentic spirit of the Maremma. From Casa Olivo, guests can set out on foot or by bicycle to reach the village, be captivated by the enchantment of the nativity scenes, and then return to enjoy a glass of local wine, a tasting of authentic products, or simply the silence of a sunset illuminating the landscape.
The proximity to Campagnatico further enriches the bond: millennia-old histories of fiefdoms and families intertwine with everyday life, creating a unique cultural fabric that permeates every stone, every gesture, every smile.
An invitation to discovery
Visiting Montorsaio during the Christmas season means enjoying an experience that goes beyond a simple tourist visit: it is an immersion in the community, in its history, in its ability to transform tradition into event, light into poetry, and art into shared memory.
And when evening falls and the nativity scene lights come on, it truly seems as if time stands still... and every corner of Montorsaio tells a story of endless beauty.
