Hidden away in a beautiful natural landscape, suspended between two bays and protected by the walls of the imposing Mount Cofano, is a cave which has been inhabited since Paleolithic times. This beautiful, timeless place is the enchanting setting for the Living Crib of Custonaci.
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U CURDARU (the rope maker), u ZABBARINARU (agave processing), i MANNARI (dairy production), u STRINCITURI (olive pressing), u FIRLIZZARU (the stool maker), u SELLARU (the saddle tanner), u PUPARO (the puppeteer), u PIGNATARO (the tinker). Trades and occupations which normally have specific seasonal cycles ...
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Opening days and hours are the following:
25 - 26 - December 27, 2009
from 16:00 to 21:30
2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - January 6, 2010
from 16:00 to 21:30
Last admission at 20.00
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The Living Crib of Custonaci
The Living Crib of Custonaci is considered to be the most important promotional event for the trades and popular traditions of Sicily and in 2006 was added to the Register of Intangible Heritage, one of the 100 intangible properties of the Region of Sicily. Inside the Mangiapane cave, houses, stables, sheep pens and chicken coops constitute an authentic rural village. Shepherds, farmers, craftsmen and artists re-enact daily activities from the past
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The 2009/2010 edition
As in previous years,  the Crib will consist of a cast of over 160 actors, including artist-craftsmen from all over Sicily and farm hands and local characters as well as hundreds of extras. This large family will also be graced by the special presence of an important Sicilian artist, Nino Cuticchio, with his Opera dei Pupi puppet theatre.
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