presepe

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In many Italian houses Christmas is celebrated preparing the "Presepe", which represents Jesus Christ’s Nativity with scenaries and little statues.

It dates back to the 13^th century. S.Francesco from Assisi (a little town in Italy) was the one who started this tradition.

In 1223 he used people and animals to perform the nativity in Greccio, a little country village. Nowadays this tradition is live in Greccio.

Besides many painters used this subject in their artistic works.

Only after the 2^nd world war Italian people began to celebrate Christmas time preparing a Christmas tree. So today in our houses you may find "Presepe" or Christmas Tree or both of them.