The Franciscan Santuary At Greccio, Italy Stock Image

A little more than a mile from the medieval hilltown of Greccio, overlooking Rieti’s Plain, is the Franciscan Sanctuary of the Manger Scene, one of the four sanctuaries adorning the Holy Valley and location of the first nativity scene in history. The atmosphere here is one of great calm and devotion, also due to the fact that Saint Francis and his story as a poverello friar who loved animals and the poor have always had the extraordinary ability to win over both Catholics and non-Catholics