Greccio () is an old hilltown and comune of the province of Rieti in the Italian region of Lazio, overhanging the Rieti Valley on a spur of the Monti Sabini, a sub-range of the Apennines, about by road northwest of Rieti, the nearest large town.

It is one of I Borghi più belli d'Italia ("The most beautiful villages of Italy"). The town hall of the comune is in the frazione of Limiti di Greccio.

Greccio was the place where, in December 1223, Saint Francis of Assisi devised the first living Nativity scene (in Italian: presepe). The Nativity scene tradition continues there to this day, and a memorial of Saint Francis, the Sanctuary of Greccio, may be visited.

Etymology

The first hypothesis on the etymology of the town's name is linked to the settlement of ancient Greek colonists in the same place where Greccio now stands.

According to other hypotheses, the name of Greccio used during the Middle Ages, "curtis de Greze", derives from "curtis", i.e. from a self-sufficient medieval economic organization managed by a lord, and from "greze" or "grezze" i.e. crushed stone (in Italian, pietre grezze), which recalls the presence of a stone quarry used at the time. According to this hypothesis, the name Greccio does not therefore derive from the ancient presence of Greek colonists. They had fled or were exiled from their homeland as a result of war. From the remains of the ancient buildings, it shows that Greccio became a fortified medieval castle surrounded by walls and protected by a six towers fortress. and its creation is described by Saint Bonaventure in his Life of Saint Francis of Assisi c. 1260.

Saint Francis' manger scene is said to have been enacted at Christmas 1223 in a cave near the Sanctuary of Greccio. The very small chapel where it is said to have taken place survives. The painting over its altar, and others before 1400, by Giotto at the Assisi Lower Church, and by Antonio Vite in Pistoia, depict Saint Francis kneeling and placing a small baby into a chest-like manger. Giotto adds a miniature ox and ass. The Nativity scene tradition continues there to this day, and a memorial of Saint Francis, the Sanctuary of Greccio, may be visited. The church was built over a part of the castle, and was destroyed and rebuilt several times. The church has a Nave and side chapels. Two of the side chapels, dedicated to St. Anthony of Padua and Our Lady Immaculate, have paintings and frescoes of the 15th and 16th century, This church also is a single aisle or Nave. It has a central altar and two side altars, stucco Roman school with influences of Carlo Fontana, and tempera paintings dated to the early 15th century. the remains of the ancient towers, one of the entrance doors, the chapel dedicated to St. Francis, with the stone on which he used to preach, and the place where, according to tradition, was launched the firebrand who made public the place designated for the construction of the Sanctuary. Inside the International Museum of the Crib there are nativity scenes from all the cultures of the world on display; outside it there is a statue of Saint Francis high.

Natural areas

thumb|The town seen from the [[Sanctuary of Greccio]]

Greccio is surrounded by oak and elm forests, on which Mount Lacerone () stands out and gives a view of the entire Rieti Valley. Here, St. Francis of Assisi, would retire in prayer and meditation in a hut protected by two hornbeam plants. In this same place, in 1712, by popular demand, was built a memorial chapel dedicated to him. Here Saint Francis of Assisi used to retreat in prayer and meditation, in a hut protected by two hornbeam trees. On the top stands "La Cappelletta", a small chapel built in 1792 in his memory.

The flat part of the town territory extends into the underlying Rieti Valley and includes the frazioni of Spinacceto, Limiti di Greccio (where the town hall is located) and Sellecchia.

  • From Contigliano: ;
  • Rieti: ;
  • Terni: ;
  • L'Aquila: ;
  • Rome: .

Demographics

Economy

Among the most traditional, widespread and renowned economic activities are artisanal ones, such as the processing and art of iron and copper. Another important economic activity in Greccio is tourism.

Culture

Tradition and folklore

The town is famous for the re-enactment of the first living nativity scene made by Francis of Assisi in 1223. On this occasion, nativity scenes are present throughout the town, and the main piazza of Greccio hosts a nativity scene art market.

Transport

Roads

Greccio has a junction on the Rieti-Terni dual carriageway (SS 79), which runs at the foot of the mountains where the town stands.

The Reopasto provincial road (SP1) also runs through the valley floor, the main road connecting with Rieti and Terni before the construction of the dual carriageway. Along the SP1 there are its frazioni of Spinacceto, Limiti di Greccio (where the town hall are located) and Sellecchia.

The comune of Greccio and the Franciscan sanctuary are located along the provincial road SP1, a branch of the SP1 which originates in Sellecchia and reconnects to the SP1 near Spinacceto.

Railways

thumb|Greccio rail station

Greccio is crossed by the Terni–Sulmona railway, with trains to Terni, Rieti and L'Aquila, and is served by the Greccio rail station, located at the foot of the town in Sellecchia, from Greccio and from the sanctuary. Until 2014, the Terria rail station also served the town, located near the hamlet of Spinacceto, now abolished.

Twin towns and sister cities

Greccio is twinned with:

  • Bethlehem, Palestine

References

Bibliography

  • Prof. Francesco Benedetti; Greccio - From the castrum to the present day: a thousand-year journey in the sign of the presence of Francis of Assisi - 2007
  • Arch. Marcello Mari; In the spirit of St. Francis - 2006
  • The Pro Loco of Greccio