Since 1987 Padre Pio's home village has turned into a little Bethlehem for three evenings. More than 300 performers fill the lanes of Rione Castello, the old quarter where the saint spent his childhood and his first years as a priest: shepherds with their animals, craftsmen in their workshops, the Magi and Herod's soldiers.
The torch-lit route takes about an hour and ends, quite movingly, on the lower floor of Padre Pio's birthplace. Along the way you will also find zeppole fried on the spot.
We suggest booking on the official website as soon as sales open and arriving early: on these evenings Pietrelcina welcomes thousands of visitors.