The displays, which will remain in place until 10 January 2022, were part of the inauguration ceremony for the nativity scene and Christmas tree in the Italian city where St Francis was born.

Assisi – Italy (18/12/2021 10:00, Gaudium Press) The nativity scene and Christmas tree in the city of Assisi, Italy, were inaugurated last Wednesday, 8 December, Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. St. Francis of Assisi is known for setting up the first crib in history. The ceremony took place after the afternoon Holy Mass.

Giotto’s frescoes depicting the birth of the Baby Jesus were projected in the Basilica of St Francis, the Cathedral of St Rufino, Piazza del Comune, the Basilica of St Clare and St Peter’s Abbey. In addition to the visual projection, those present were also able to marvel at the life-size images and colourful lighting that made the nativity scene even more attractive.

The Nativity scene and Christmas tree will remain on display until 10 January 2022

The displays will remain on display until 10 January 2022. A nativity scene, which had been donated to Pope Francis in 2019, was installed in the upper Basilica of St Francis. The artwork depicts the Holy Family inside a dairy in Erbezzo, a locality in Lessinia. In total, the nativity scene brings together 100 wooden images handmade by artisans from Ortisei.

The municipality of Castel Ivano, in the province of Trento, donated the 15-metre white pine tree installed in the lower square of the Basilica. The tree, which was lit up with 40,000 LED lights, comes from the certified forest in the village of Villa Agnedo.

Everyone can admire the Christmas decoration through an app

Those who wish to admire the details of the Christmas decoration in Assisi can do so through the app: nataledifrancesco.it. Through this technological resource it is possible to access video projections of some of Giotto’s frescoes, such as the Nativity of Jesus and the Annunciation of Mary, present in the Lower Basilica of St Francis.

Visitors can also admire, on the façade of the Upper Basilica, the video mapping of the interior of the Monumental Complex. It will be possible to immerse oneself in more than 10,000 square metres of frescoes, emerging in an evocative narration of the Christmas of St Francis. (EPC)