In the evocative setting of the Monastery of Monticchio, located in the hills of Massa Lubrense, the Living Crib is celebrated this year. It is a magical event that involves visitors of all ages.
The dates of the event are 26, 27, 29 December and 1, 2, 5, 6 and 7 January, during which the premises of the monastery turn into a real village of ancient Palestine. This living crib offers visitors the opportunity to immerse themselves in the heart of Christian history and experience the enchantment of the birth of Jesus in a unique context.
Fotografie di Maria Rosaria Castellano
The Monastero del Santissimo Rosario di Monticchio, dating back to the eighteenth century, is distinguished by its charming architecture. It represents the perfect environment to host the living crib. The participants carefully wear clothes that recreate the characters of the evangelical history, together with their crafts and their occupations. In the evocative setting of the monastery, shepherds, the Magi, artisans and traders come to life. In this way visitors can live an authentic experience that recalls the daily life of those remote times.
The event is not only an opportunity to rediscover the Christmas tradition, but also an occasion to reflect on the deeper meaning of Christmas. The choice of setting the Living Nativity in the Monastery of Monticchio adds a touch of spirituality to the experience. In fact, the event turns into a moment of contemplation and reflection for the participants.
When: 28 December 2023, 4 pm Where: Giardinetti di Massa Centro
The Magic Christmas Book: an extraordinary event is about to turn the afternoon of December 28 into an unforgettable experience. We invite all children to participate in a magical day of animated readings, creative workshops and a tasty Christmas snack.
The Magic Book of Christmas with “Barattoli Cosmici”
The stage will come alive with the show “The Magic Book of Christmas” brought to life by Storto and Diritto, two salesmen of Santa Claus. These bungling storytellers will guide us through an enchanted world, full of packages and boxes each containing a dream, a memory or a wish destined for children in every corner of the Earth. With the talented actors of “Barattoli Cosmici” and the narrative technique of the overhead projector, children will be transported into a fun and engaging story.
Creative Christmas Workshop
After the show, the little artists will have the opportunity to explore their creativity at the Christmas Workshop. With a wide range of colorful and festive materials available, children can create unique Christmas decorations and special gifts. They will be guided by experienced “elves” who help them to bring their ideas to life, promoting collaboration and sharing of ideas among participants.
Christmas snack
The day will end with a delicious Christmas snack, enriched by the enveloping fragrance of hot chocolate. Children can share their experiences and artistic creations while enjoying Christmas sweets.
The event is open to all children and it is completely free. Join us for an afternoon of magic, creativity and celebration. You will create special memories that will last forever. We look forward to sharing the enchantment of Christmas with you and your families!
Christmas has always been a holiday characterized by the consumption of numerous types of meals, according to the tradition of Christmas cuisine of each territory.
It doesn’t matter what place we’re talking about: it is a matter of fact that the culinary Christmas traditions of Campania are always delightful and those of Massa Lubrense are no exception.
Whether it is main dishes, sweets or even fruits, here in Massa Lubrense you’ll find everything you need to spend a deliciously happy Christmas. If you wish to get a general preview of some of the delicacies that you will find here, here are some of our best dishes.
The main dishes of our Christmas cuisine
Spaghetti with clams
Every Neapolitan citizen knows the importance of the main dishes during Christmas meals. For anyone who may not know, tradition dictates that on Christmas Eve one should mainly eat seafood-based first dishes, especially during dinner.
Among these dishes the most famous and appreciated is Spaghetti with clams, served either with a bit of tomato sauce or with none at all.
On the other hand on Christmas Day itself it is customary to eat much simpler meals, such as baked pasta.
You will be able to taste these delicacies and many more at the numerous restaurants scattered throughout the territory of Massa Lubrense.
Appetizers, second dishes and Christmas side dishes
Naturally there are many other types of dishes typically eaten during the Christmas period, especially on Christmas Eve. Now we point out some that we really wish you to try here in Massa Lubrense.
Appetizers:
Mixed cured meat: Various arrays of different kinds of cured meat, from salami to ham to many others.
Escarole pizza: A type of pie typical of neapolitan tradition, stuffed with escaroles, black olives, capers and anchovies.
Second dishes:
Fried mixed fishfood: Another great traditional dish typical of neapolitan cuisine in general, which includes fried shrimp, squid, anchovies and even cod served all at once.
Cod fritters: Small balls of salted fried pasta stuffed with salted cod.
Side dishes:
Insalata di rinforzo: A type of traditional neapolitan salad made with cauliflower, peppers, green olives, chives, pickles and anchovies.
Christmas broccoli: A particular type of broccoli typically served on Christmas Eve seasoned with oil, garlic, hot peppers and lemon juice.
In order to feel completely sated and satisfied we strongly advise you to follow up the aforementioned first dishes with these delicacies!
Delicious sweets for a sweet Christmas
No Christmas meal would be truly complete without a wide array of sweets to savour. In Massa Lubrense you will find many unique ones of the Neapolitan tradition.
Among them, some that we particularily recommend are:
Struffoli: Small balls of sweet baked pasta doused in honey
Roccocò: Donut-like sweets whose dough contains both almonds and orange peels
Mostaccioli: A type of rhombus-shaped cookies covered in chocolate which contain a variety of different spices
This is only a small preview of the types of sweets that you’ll be able to taste in Massa Lubrense by visiting its numerous local pastry shops.
A Christmas specialty of Massa Lubrense
Here in Massa Lubrense you will find a variety of apples unique to this territory: the apples of Sant’Agata, one of our local products.
The apples of Sant’Agata are a type of yellow apples cultivated exclusively in the territory of Sorrento, more specifically in Sant’Agata sui due golfi, one of the hamlets of Massa Lubrense.
Up until the 1800’s this type of apples was by far the most cultivated agricultural product by the local farmers, not to mention their main source of income. However, following various issues that had arisen throughout the 1800’s regarding their farming, the production rate of these apples is nowadays far inferior to what it used to be. But they nevertheless continue to be one of the most iconic products of Massa Lubrense.
They are commonly used in the production of various kinds of marmalades, but during the Christmas period it is customary to bake them in the oven.
An unforgettably delicious Christmas
As you may have noticed by now, here in Massa Lubrense traditional Christmas cuisine has a truly wide array of amazing foods with which you will be able to have a truly delicious Christmas.
Here we were able to show you only a small part of what you could taste in our restaurants, pastry shops and other similar places. If you wish to see how many more delicacies Massa Lubrense has to offer, then we can only encourage you to come here yourselves. In this case, we will welcome you with open arms and – above all – with ready dishes!
On December 26, 2022, the 42nd edition of the Marcialonga will be held in Massa Lubrense.
The Marcialonga is an amateur free paced race through the streets of Massa Lubrense, discovering the most evocative corners of the area. It is an event organized by the parish community on the occasion of Christmas, which attracts hundreds of participants every year.
More then a competition, it is actually a pleasant walk through the hamlets and natural beauties of the place. For the residents, taking part in it is a way to spend cheerful time in company, in the spirit of the holidays.
The first edition was held on December 26, 1978, involving the entire town. From then on the Marcialonga became a real recurrence. In 2019, 2508 people of all ages took part in it, breaking all records. In 2020 and last year, due to the covid-19 pandemic, the event could not take place.
How to participate
Like every year, the event begins on St. Stephen day at 2 p.m. You can register on the same day from 9 a.m. until 10 minutes before the start at the stands in Piazza Vescovado (Vescovado Square), where the start is also scheduled. The rules of participation will be specified at the time of registration by handing over the regulations.
The route
Three refreshment points are included, two along the way and one at the end. It is possible to taste typical Christmas sweets, such as roccocò, panettone or fried zeppole prepared by the organizers, as well as the inevitable sausage sandwich.
From the square, the walk continues towards Via Roma, Via Rivo a Casa, via IV Novembre and via Nastro d’Oro, before reaching the crossroads for Santa Maria, the first refreshment point. The walk resumes along via Caselle, via Annunziata, arriving at the square of Santa Maria, where a second stop is planned. The longest part of the route then begins from via Padre Rocco, following the rotabile Massa Turro, deviating for via Mortella, crossing via Rachione, G. Marconi square and viale Filangieri. The event ends in Piazza Vescovado, where there will be one last refreshment, usually based on brioche and hot chocolate, served by the staff.
The first 100 drawn numbers will receive prizes offered by the local commercial activities. At the end of the walk, celebrations for young and old will continue.
As in the last edition, the event will be completely plastic free: respecting the environment only biodegradable disposable material will be used.
Every year many people work behind the scenes, with passion and dedication, to provide moments of joy and lightheartedness. Among the organizers there are those who make the desserts or other gastronomic delights, those who take care of setting up the stands or taking the registrations, but many more are the activities that make the event a success, which would be impossible without everyone’s cooperation!
“Massa Lubrense Expo… ne” is the local handicraft and agriculture fair held in Sant’Agata sui due golfi (Massa Lubrense) from 17 to 19 December 2021
A charming traditional market lined with wooden chalets, beautifully decorated and filled with unique gifts, handicrafts, local produce and tantalizing culinary delights.
The atmosphere is enlivened by street performers and traveling music. At lunch and dinner it is possible to taste the dishes prepared by the local restaurants association.
In one of the chalets, Santa Claus is waiting for all the children who want to personally deliver their letter to him.
For Christmas a book is always a good gift ideas and for those who want to know more about Massa Lubrense and its surroundings the choice is wide!
For those who want to explore Massa Lubrense and its surroundings,
the book “Secrets and wonders of the Sorrento coast” opens our eyes on what surrounds us and on what sometimes we don’t know. “The Amalfi Coast” is instead ideal for discover every corner of the territory from Punta Campanella to Vietri sul Mare. Or again, “Siren Land… 100 wonders” is a guide of experiences not to be missed, from Salerno to the Sorrento peninsula, passing through the Lattari Mountains.
For those who never tire of enjoying new paths,
“24 walks on the Amalfi Coast” selects and describes 24 itineraries between Punta Campanella and Vietri sul Mare, with cartography and technical notes.
For those who are always looking for the perfect beach,
“The 100 beaches of the Amalfi Coast” is a precious manual, to be followed scrupulously page by page or to be opened at random for the next destination!
For those who love cooking and knowing the flavors of our territory,
the newest “The Amalfi Coast to taste” offers 120 recipes. Among them, 14 from starred chefs and 4 from master pastry chefs: a culinary journey between ancient recipes and successful reinterpretations of it. The book “The flavors of Positano”, instead, combines history and gastronomy: from the early days of the Modern Age to the present day, between recipes and curiosities. Attractive and unusual is the perspective of “#faccedabirra”, which offers interesting tourist itineraries around the small craft breweries of Campania.
A lots of gift ideas for everyone, to put under the Christmas tree. To buy for yourself or for the people we love.
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