On the harbor of a small town in Romagna, the evocative Presepe della Marineria, a floating Nativity scene set up on the historic boats of the Maritime Museum, comes to life every year. It is one of the most iconic Christmas events in the area, a true open-air show of lights and art. The idea was born 1986 by Guerrino Gardini and Tinin Mantegazza, later coming to life thanks to artists Maurizio Bertoni and Mino Savadori. In 2011 it received recognition as “Heritage of Italy for Tradition” for its folkloric value from the Ministry of Tourism.
Where is the floating nativity scene located?
The original composition included only seven statues. Over the years, however, the nativity scene has been enriched to more than fifty characters, depicting seafaring life: from the patron saint St. James to fishermen, from musicians to artisans. The sculptures, made of pine wood with wax draperies on canvas, shine on the illuminated boats in the harbor and restore a strong sense of tradition and poetry. The lights of the Cesenatico Nativity turned on Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025, and will continue to illuminate the harbor until Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, accompanying all holidays with a magical and evocative atmosphere. The visit is of course free and open to all.
How to get there and other Christmas light activities
From Milan you can reach Cesenatico in various ways, although the fastest one remains by car, in about 3 hours and a little more. Train and bus are two good options and generally the prices are low, although you are likely to take at least four hours. If you don’t want to forgo either a Christmas of lights or staying in Milan, you can opt for a visit to the Village of Wonders, the tree in Piazza Duomo or the tree in Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. For those who then want to soak in the holiday atmosphere, there are still some tickets available for the Candlelight Christmas concerts in Milan.