Yesterday, the traditional nativity of the Cinque Terre was inaugurated: this year on the same day of the beginning of the Jubileum 2015. Shining bright from the hill above the village of Manarola, the presepe – nativity – lights up the night of the Cinque Terre and is a beautiful view both from sea and land. The nativity will be on until the first days of February 2016.
The Manarola Nativity was designed and built by Mr. Mario Andreoli, who used to work for the Italian railroa. Since 1976, he dedicated his life to the creation of a unique work, and in 30 years was able to cover the entire hill with his nativity made of figures lit by light bulbs. In 2007 when the largest Nativity in the world was realised, it immediately entered in the Guinness Book of Records.
For the crib (about) 8 km of electric cables were used, 17,000 light bulbs, more than 300 life-size figures, (made from recycled material or unused). In 2008 the Nativity has also become ecological, a photovoltaic system was built to light it up.