Greccio

Infobox CityIT
official_name = Comune di Greccio
img_coa = Greccio-Stemma.png img_coa_small =


image_caption =
region = RegioneIT|sigla=LAZ
province = ProvinciaIT (short form)|sigla=RI (RI)
mayor =
mayor_party =
elevation_footnotes =
elevation_m = 705
area_footnotes =
area_total_km2 = 17
population_footnotes =
population_as_of = 2007
population_total = 1503
pop_density_footnotes =
population_density_km2 = 88
coordinates = coord|42|27|0|N|12|45|0|E|region:IT_type:city(1503)
gentilic =
telephone = 0746
postalcode = 02040
frazioni =
saint =
day =
mapx = #expr:42 + 27 / 60.0
mapy = #expr:12 + 45 / 60.0
locator_position =
native_name = Greccio
name = Greccio
website = Greccio is an old hilltown and comune of the province of Rieti in the Italian region of Lazio, 42°27N 12°45E, at 705 meters (2313 ft) above sea-level overhanging the Velino river on a spur of the Monti Sabini, a sub-range of the Apennines, about 16 km (10 mi) by road NW of Rieti, the nearest large town. The population of the "comune" was 1500 as of the 2003 census.

History and Monuments

*The town first makes its appearance as "Grecce" or "Grezze" in the 11th century, when it had a castle. The castle has now disappeared except for a single tower, which is now the belfry of the church of S. Michele.

*Greccio is notable as the place where, in December 1223, St. Francis devised the first living crib (in Italian: "presepe"). The idea was to discourage would-be pilgrims to go to Bethlehem, as it was a risky adventure, the Holy Land being then under the control of the Turks. The tradition continues there to this day, and a memorial of St. Francis, the Santuario di S. Francesco, may be visited.

Greccio today

The actual town of Greccio has been depopulating, and the administrative functions of the comune are now in the "frazione" of Limiti di Greccio.

External links

* [http://www.prolocogreccio.it/ The Pro Loco of Greccio]