Editing Greccio

{{Infobox Italian comune
| name                = Greccio
| official_name       = Comune di Greccio
| image_skyline       = Case del Borgo incantato! Uno dei Borghi più Belli d'Italia.jpg
| imagesize           = 
| image_alt           = 
| image_caption       = view of Greccio
| image_shield        = Greccio-Stemma.png
| shield_alt          = 
| image_map           = 
| map_alt             = 
| map_caption         = 
| pushpin_label_position = 
| pushpin_map_alt     = 
| coordinates         = {{coord|42|27|N|12|45|E|region:IT_type:city(1503)|display=inline}}
| coordinates_footnotes = 
| region              = {{RegioneIT|sigla=LAZ}}
| province            = {{ProvinciaIT (short form)|sigla=RI}} (RI)
| frazioni            = Limiti di Greccio, Sellecchia, Spinacceto
| mayor_party         = 
| mayor               = Emiliano Fabi
| area_footnotes      = 
| area_total_km2      = 17
| population_footnotes = 
| population_total    = 1529
| population_as_of    = 2008
| pop_density_footnotes = 
| population_demonym  = 
| elevation_footnotes = 
| elevation_m         = 705
| twin1               = 
| twin1_country       = 
| saint               = 
| day                 = 
| postal_code         = 02040
| area_code           = 0746
| website             = 
| footnotes           = 
}}
'''Greccio''' ({{IPA|it|ˈɡrett͡ʃo|pron}}) is an old hilltown and ''[[comune]]'' of the [[province of Rieti]] in the [[Italy|Italian]] region of [[Lazio]], overhanging the [[Rieti Valley]] on a spur of the [[Monti Sabini]], a sub-range of the [[Apennines]], about {{convert|16|km|0|abbr=off}} 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").<ref>{{cite web|url=https://borghipiubelliditalia.it/lazio/|title=Lazio|access-date=1 August 2023|language=it}}</ref> 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.<ref name="viadifrancescolazio">{{cite web|url=https://www.viadifrancescolazio.it/services/direttrice-salaria/20-cosa-vedere/215-santuario-di-greccio.html|title=Santuario di Greccio|access-date=9 January 2024|language=it}}</ref>

==Etymology==
The first hypothesis on the tymology of the town's name is linked to the settlement of [[ancient Greek colonization|ancient Greek colonists]] in the same place where Greccio now stands.<ref name="wantedinrome"/><ref name="e-borghi"/><ref name="comune.greccio"/> Hence the name, according to this hypothesis, ''Grecia'', ''Grece'', ''Grecce'' and finally Greccio.<ref name="wantedinrome">{{cite web|url=https://www.wantedinrome.com/news/greccio-home-of-the-worlds-first-nativity-scene.html|title=Greccio: home of the world's first Nativity scene|access-date=11 January 2024}}</ref>

According to other hypotheses, the name of Greccio used during the Middle Ages, "''curtis de Greze''", derives from "[[Manorialism|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.<ref name="protofilia">{{cite web|url=https://www.protofilia.it/90-emissione-del-02-dicembre-2023-di-un-francobollo-ordinario-appartenente-alla-serie-tematica-il-patrimonio-artistico-e-culturale-italiano-dedicato-alla-prima-rappresentazione-del-presep/|title=Presepe di Greccio|access-date=11 January 2024}}</ref>  According to this hypothesis, the name Greccio does not therefore derive from the ancient presence of Greek colonists.<ref name="protofilia"/>

==History==
[[File:Giotto - Legend of St Francis - -13- - Institution of the Crib at Greccio.jpg|thumb|left|''St. Francis at Greccio'' by [[Giotto]], 1295]]
[[File:Our hotel (appropriately Italian looking!) (3543814566).jpg|thumb|left|View of the town]]

Modern Greccio, which is of medieval origin, was founded on lands of [[ancient Greek colonization]], in a place where there was,<ref name="e-borghi"/> in ancient times, a colony founded by colonists from [[Magna Graecia]].<ref name="comune.greccio">{{cite web|url=https://comune.greccio.ri.it/contenuti/45621/borgo-medievale-greccio|title=BORGO MEDIEVALE di GRECCIO|access-date=9 January 2024|language=it}}</ref> They had fled or were exiled from their homeland as a result of war.<ref name="wantedinrome"/>

The earliest records of Greccio date back to the 10th and 11th centuries with the name of "''curtis de Greze''".<ref name="comune.greccio"/> The Benedictine Monk, Gregory of Catino (1062–1133) refers to the town of "''Grecciae''" in his work "''Summary Farfense''".<ref name="e-borghi">{{cite web|url=https://www.e-borghi.com/it/itinerari/633/il-borgo-di-greccio-che-ogni-anno-ritorna-al-1223.html|title=Il borgo di Greccio, che ogni anno ritorna al 1223|access-date=11 January 2024|language=it}}</ref> 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.<ref name="comune.greccio"/>

In documents from the 11th century, the toponym of Greccio is cited with many variations, until 1091, when the name "''Grecciae''", from which the current name derives, seems to spread; the community also experiences a fair amount of development, favored by the abundance of flat arable land and good pastures.<ref name="e-borghi"/>

During the struggle with neighboring cities, the castle was destroyed in 1242 by the troops of Frederick II.<ref name="comune.greccio"/> They had a difficult history until 1799 when the town was destroyed and looted by the Napoleonic army.<ref name="comune.greccio"/> The town was called for the first time with its current name "Greccio" around 1720.<ref name="comune.greccio"/>
[[File:Greccio la piazza principale.jpg|thumb|Main piazza in Greccio]]

Greccio was the place where, in December 1223, [[Saint Francis of Assisi]] devised the first living [[Nativity scene]] (in Italian: ''presepe'').  Francis' 1223 living nativity scene is commemorated on the calendars of the Catholic, Lutheran and Anglican liturgical calendars,<ref name="Matheson2012"/><ref name="Dues">Dues, Greg.''Catholic Customs and Traditions: A Popular Guide'' Twenty-Third Publications, 2000.</ref><ref name="Thomas">Thomas, George F.. ''Vitality of the Christian Tradition''. Ayer Co. Publishing, 1944.</ref><ref name="#MyLivingNativity">{{Cite web|url=http://mylivingnativity.org|title=#MyLivingNativity|website=Upper Room Books|language=en-us|access-date=2018-10-31|archive-date=2021-11-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211107122421/https://upperroombooks.com/mylivingnativity/|url-status=live}}</ref> and its creation<ref name="Matheson2012">{{cite book |last1=Matheson |first1=Lister M. |title=Icons of the Middle Ages: Rulers, Writers, Rebels, and Saints |date=2012 |publisher=ABC-CLIO |isbn=978-0-313-34080-2 |page=324 |language=English |quote=He was responsible for staging the first living Nativity scene or creche, in Christian history; and he was also Christianity's first stigmatic. He shares the honor of being patron saint of Italy with Saint Catherine of Siena. His feast day is celbrated on October 4, the day of his death; many churches, including the Anglican, Lutheran, and Episcopal churches, commemorate this with the blessing of the animals.}}</ref> is described by [[Bonaventure|Saint Bonaventure]] in his ''Life of Saint Francis of Assisi'' c. 1260.<ref>{{cite web|last=St. Bonaventure|title=The Life of St. Francis of Assisi|url=http://www.ecatholic2000.com/bonaventure/assisi/francis.shtml|work=e-Catholic 2000|access-date=28 September 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140614095831/http://www.ecatholic2000.com/bonaventure/assisi/francis.shtml|archive-date=14 June 2014}}</ref>

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.<ref name="santuario-francescano">{{cite web|url=https://comune.greccio.ri.it/contenuti/45625/santuario-francescano|title=SANTUARIO FRANCESCANO DEL PRESEPIO|access-date=9 January 2024|language=it}}</ref> 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 [[asinus|ass]]. The Nativity scene tradition continues there to this day, and a memorial of Saint Francis, the Sanctuary of Greccio, may be visited.<ref name="viadifrancescolazio"/>

==Main sights==

===Sanctuary of Greccio===
{{main|Sanctuary of Greccio}}
{{multiple image
 | align = right
 | image1 = Sanctuary of Greccio.jpg
 | width1 = 220
 | caption1 = 
 | image2 = Un_angolo_del_santuario_a_greccio.jpg
 | width2 = 190
 | caption2  = 
 | footer = The [[Sanctuary of Greccio]]
}}

[[File:Chapel of the First Live Nativity.jpg|thumb|The chapel of the first living nativity scene located in the [[Sanctuary of Greccio]]]]
The [[Sanctuary of Greccio|Hermitage of Greccio Sanctuary]] ({{langx|it|Santuario Eremo di Greccio}}) is one of the four shrines erected by [[Francis of Assisi|Saint Francis of Assisi]] in the [[Rieti Valley|Sacred Valley]], along with the Sanctuary of Fonte Colombo, the Sanctuary of the Forest, and the convent of [[Poggio Bustone]]. Francis presented the first living [[Nativity scene]] in a nearby cave in December 1223.<ref name="santuario-francescano"/>

Inside there are frescoes modern and original chapel of the saint carved in the rock.<ref name="santuario-francescano"/> Francis, recalling a visit he had made years before to Bethlehem, resolved to create the manger he had seen there. The ideal spot was a cave in nearby Greccio. He would find a baby, hay upon which to lay him, an ox, and an ass to stand beside the manger. Word went out to the people of the town.<ref name="santuario-francescano"/>

At the appointed time, the townspeople arrived carrying torches and candles. One of the friars began celebrating Mass while Francis himself gave the sermon.<ref name="santuario-francescano"/> His biographer, [[Thomas of Celano]], recalls that Francis stood before the manger, overwhelmed with love and filled with a wonderful happiness. For Francis, the simple celebration was meant to recall the hardships Jesus suffered even as an infant, a savior who chose to become poor for our sake, a truly human Jesus. The Sanctuary of Greccio may be visited.<ref name="viadifrancescolazio"/>

===Other architectures===
[[File:La Collegiata.jpg|thumb|The church of San Michele Archangel]]

The medieval town that preserves part of the pavement of the old castle (11th century) and three of the six towers.<ref name="comune.greccio"/> The parish church of San Michele Archangel is located next to the bell tower on top of a flight of steps and dates back to the 11th century.<ref name="chiesa-parrocchiale">{{cite web|url=https://comune.greccio.ri.it/contenuti/45623/chiesa-parrocchiale-s-michele-arcangelo|title=CHIESA PARROCCHIALE di SAN MICHELE ARCANGELO|access-date=9 January 2024|language=it}}</ref> The church was built over a part of the castle. The church was destroyed and rebuilt several times. The church as 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,<ref name="chiesa-parrocchiale"/> and stucco decorations created in 1636.<ref name="e-borghi"/> Remarkable from an artistic point of view are the baptismal font, the main altar, a gilded silver chalice and a monstrance, all dating back to the 16th century.<ref name="e-borghi"/> In the square, there is the Church of Santa Maria del Giglio from the 14th century.<ref name="chiesa-santa-maria-giglio">{{cite web|url=https://comune.greccio.ri.it/contenuti/1715373/chiesa-santa-maria-giglio|title=CHIESA della MADONNA DEL GIGLIO|access-date=9 January 2024|language=it}}</ref> 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.<ref name="e-borghi"/> The high altar preserves, a fresco, which represents the Virgin and Child with Angels.<ref name="chiesa-santa-maria-giglio"/>

===Museums===
{{multiple image
 | align = right
 | image1 = 20110517 Greccio 041 (5761867063).jpg
 | width1 = 180
 | caption1 =
 | image2 = Presepes 10-07 to 22 753.jpg
 | width2 = 180
 | caption2  = 
 |footer = Some of the nativity scenes exhibited at the International Museum of the Crib of Greccio
}}
The town contains the ruined church of Santa Maria, now restored as the International Museum of the Crib,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.touringclub.it/destinazione/localita/museo/329881/museo-internazionale-del-presepe-di-greccio-greccio|title=Museo Internazionale del Presepe di Greccio|access-date=9 January 2024|language=it}}</ref> 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 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 {{convert|5|m|ft}} high.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.visitgreccio.com/attrazione/il-museo-dei-presepi|title=Museo del Presepe di Greccio|publisher=Visit Greccio - Vieni a scoprire Greccio|access-date=6 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170216174946/http://www.visitgreccio.com/attrazione/il-museo-dei-presepi|archive-date=16 February 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Natural areas===
[[File:Greccio village.JPG|thumb|The town seen from the [[Sanctuary of Greccio]]]]

Greccio is surrounded by oak and elm forests, on which Mount Lacerone ({{convert|1204|m|ft|disp=or}}) stands out and gives a view of the entire [[Rieti Valley]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lazioturismo.it/asp/scheda_archeo.asp?id=138|title=CONVENTO-SANTUARIO DI GRECCIO (Valle Reatina)|access-date=9 January 2024|language=it}}</ref> 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, it was built a memorial chapel dedicated to him, "the chapel".<ref name="NATURA - LA CAPPELLETTA">{{cite web|url=https://comune.greccio.ri.it/contenuti/45629/natura-cappelletta|title=NATURA - "LA CAPPELLETTA"|access-date=9 January 2024|language=it}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mondimedievali.net/Castelli/Lazio/rieti/provincia000.htm|title=TUTTE LE FORTIFICAZIONI DELLA PROVINCIA DI RIETI|access-date=10 January 2024}}</ref><ref name="NATURA - LA CAPPELLETTA"/>

==Geography==
[[File:Panorama di Rieti da Greccio (1403187537).jpg|thumb|The [[Rieti Valley]] seen from Greccio, with [[Rieti]] in the background]]

The town of Greccio is located in [[Sabina (region)|Sabina]], in Upper [[Lazio]], on the border with [[Umbria]]. The medieval town of Greccio stands on a ridge of the [[Monti Sabini]], on the western edge of the [[Rieti Valley]], at {{convert|705|m|ft}} above sea level (about {{convert|300|m|ft}} higher than the valley floor).<ref name="treccani">{{cite web|url=https://www.treccani.it/enciclopedia/greccio/|title=Greccio|access-date=9 January 2024|publisher=[[Treccani]]|language=it}}</ref>

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.<ref name="treccani"/>

Distances from the most important population centers:<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.elisabettamarinello.it/blog/bellezze-d-italia-greccio|title=BELLEZZE D'ITALIA: GRECCIO|access-date=9 January 2024|language=it}}</ref>
* From [[Contigliano]]: {{convert|8|km|0|abbr=off}};
* [[Rieti]]: {{convert|16|km|0|abbr=off}};
* [[Terni]]: {{convert|27|km|0|abbr=off}};
* [[L'Aquila]]: {{convert|77|km|0|abbr=off}};
* [[Rome]]: {{convert|96|km|0|abbr=off}}.

== Demographics ==
{{Historical populations
|type =
|align = center
|footnote = [[Istituto Nazionale di Statistica|Istat]] historical data 1861–2021<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://dati.istat.it/Index.aspx|title=Statistiche I.Stat|publisher=[[Istituto nazionale di statistica|ISTAT]]|access-date=28 December 2012}}</ref>
| cols = 2
| graph-pos = bottom
|1861|1545
|1871|1729
|1881|1813
|1901|1892
|1911|1996
|1921|1951
|1931|2036
|1936|1940
|1951|2018
|1961|1591
|1971|1361
|1981|1518
|1991|1504
|2001|1464
|2011|1520
|2021|1514
}}

==Economy==
Among the most traditional, widespread and renowned economic activities are artisanal ones, such as the processing and art of iron and copper.<ref name=Aci>{{cite book| title=Atlante cartografico dell'artigianato | publisher=A.C.I. | year=1985 | volume=2 | page=19|language=it}}</ref> Another important economic activity in Greccio is tourism.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://roma.corriere.it/arte_e_cultura/cards/i-borghi-piu-belli-d-italia-17-sono-lazio/greccio.shtml|title=I borghi più belli d'Italia: 17 sono nel Lazio|access-date=11 January 2024|language=it}}</ref>

==Culture==
===Tradition and folklore===
The town is famous for the re-enactment of the first [[Nativity play|living nativity scene]] made by [[Francis of Assisi]] in 1223.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://prolocogreccio.it/la-rievocazione-storica/|title=La Rievocazione Storica|access-date=10 January 2024}}</ref> On this occasion, [[nativity scene]]s are present throughout the town, and the main piazza of Greccio hosts a nativity scene art market.<ref name="e-borghi"/> The living nativity scene recited by the local population, dressed in period clothing, is staged in front of the Sanctuary of Greccio, in memory of the historic event of 1223.<ref name="e-borghi"/>

=== Cinema ===
Some scenes of the film ''[[Il vegetale]]'' (2018), directed by [[Gennaro Nunziante]] and starring [[Fabio Rovazzi]], were filmed in Greccio.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.rietilife.com/2017/12/20/rovazzi-vegetale-esce-al-cinema-18-gennaio-molte-scene-girate-nel-reatino-trailer/|title=Rovazzi, "Il vegetale" esce al cinema il 18 gennaio <nowiki>|</nowiki> Molte scene girate nel Reatino|publisher=RietiLife|date=20 December 2017|access-date=13 January 2018}}</ref>

== Transport ==
===Roads===
{{multiple image
 | align = right
 | image1 = SS79 - svincolo Greccio direzione Terni 05.jpg
 | width1 = 220
 | caption1 = The Greccio junction on the [[Rieti]]-[[Terni]] [[dual carriageway]] (SS 79)
 | image2 = SP 1C vista dal Santuario di Greccio.jpg
 | width2 = 203
 | caption2  = The Reopasto provincial road (SP1), which connects Greccio to the valley floor
}}
Greccio has a junction on the [[Rieti]]-[[Terni]] [[dual carriageway]] (SS 79),<ref>{{cite web|url=https://notizie.virgilio.it/due-morti-e-quattro-feriti-dopo-l-incidente-sulla-superstrada-rieti-terni-scontro-frontale-tra-auto-1588069|title=Due morti e quattro feriti dopo l'incidente di Greccio sulla superstrada Rieti-Terni: scontro frontale|access-date=10 January 2024|language=it}}</ref> 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)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lazionascosto.it/citta-fantasma-borghi-abbandonati-del-lazio/reopasto/#google_vignette|title=Il borgo fantasma di Reopasto|access-date=10 January 2024|language=it}}</ref> and Sellecchia.

The comune of Greccio and the Franciscan sanctuary are located along the provincial road SP1,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.trueriders.it/itinerari-moto/itinerari-moto-italia/lazio-in-moto/cammino-di-francesco/|title=Cammino di Francesco, fede e natura nella Piana Reatina|access-date=10 January 2024|language=it}}</ref> a branch of the SP1 which originates in Sellecchia and reconnects to the SP1 near Spinacceto.

===Railways===
[[File:FCU ALn 776.067 a Greccio 03.jpg|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, {{convert|6|km|0|abbr=on}} from Greccio and {{convert|4|km|0|abbr=on}} from the sanctuary. Until 2014, the [[Contigliano|Terria]] rail station also served the town, located near the hamlet of Spinacceto, now abolished.<ref name="soppressione">{{Cite web|url=https://donet.rfi.it/RFIPlatform/viewDocumentWebById.do?docId={720B3F3E-3A78-451C-A10B-80A7A1BDAA06}&docType=CC|title=Circolare Territoriale 13/2014|date=1 September 2014|access-date=5 June 2017}}</ref>

==Twin towns - sister cities==
Greccio is [[Twin towns and sister cities|twinned]] with:
*{{flagicon|PLE}} [[Bethlehem]], [[Palestine]]<ref name="BethlehemTwinning">{{cite web|url=http://www.bethlehem-city.org/Twining.php |title=::Bethlehem Municipality:: |publisher=www.bethlehem-city.org |access-date=2009-10-10 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100724140854/http://www.bethlehem-city.org/Twining.php |archive-date=2010-07-24 }}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

==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

==External links==
{{Commons}}
*[http://www.prolocogreccio.it/ The Pro Loco of Greccio]

{{Province of Rieti}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Cities and towns in Lazio]]
[[Category:Hilltowns in Lazio]]
[[Category:Borghi più belli d'Italia]]