Poffabro

The Italians are very open about celebrating Christ's birth which makes this time of year so amazing. It seems everywhere you turn there are true reminders of the real reason for this season.

Only about 7 klicks from our home is this beautiful village called Poffabro. This little village is built on a hillside, which means the buildings are all on a slope. There're also these great narrow streets that wind up and down throughout the village with breathtaking views of the Dolomites. It's clear that the buildings are centuries old, as the homes are built right on top of one another complete with a family barn and livestock. The buildings are also constructed with gorgeous iron and stonework.

We went to Poffabro to take in a semi-famous tradition in the fruili region - "The Nativity Scenes" or
"Presepe fra i Presepe"
For most Americans, Christmas and New Year's comes and goes, but for Italians the holiday season lasts a bit longer. As they celebrate the season of Advent and Epiphany this quaint little village's goal and tradition each year is to stuff as many nativity scenes as they can in every nook and cranny of the town. The Nativity Scenes are all different sizes ranging from tiny to life-sized. They're made from just about everything you could imagine; pasta, corn, etc... My favorite was the one made of wine jugs or demi johns-(That's what local Italians store their wine in.). These Nativity scenes also range from the very simple to the incredibly ornate with lights, running water, and music. It was beautiful to see the love and respect this village has for the true meaning of Christmas. There wasn't one Santa in sight! If you're in Italy, this event goes on until January 13. You should definitely check it out before you leave.