Toirano Nativity Trail

How the Nativity Trail works

The event was founded in 1997 by Orlando Boccone and Ernesto Bacchetti. The idea is simple: instead of a single exhibition, the whole village becomes the route. Cribs are displayed in the alleys of the Borgo, in Barescione and in Dari, and visitors are given a map where each crib is listed with its street, the maker’s name and a number.

After more than a quarter of a century the techniques are very varied. There are cribs in wood, glass, paper, papier-mâché, ceramic and iron, as well as ones made from recycled materials. Nobody competes: the show is non-competitive.

What to see at the Ethnographic Museum

The Val Varatella Ethnographic Museum, in the D’Aste – Del Carretto palace in Piazza Libertà, has hosted the exhibition of the Ligurian folk nativity scene for decades. Here you see the “macachi albisolesi” (ceramic figures from Albisola) in late-19th-century settings, and devotional objects from the 18th to the early 20th century. On the Piano Nobile there are two more cribs: an 18th-century one in wax, from a private collection, and one with Provençal santons.

According to the municipality the museum is open every day except Tuesday, 10–13 and 15–18, admission €5 (Piano Nobile €2). We do not know whether the same hours apply in December: phone +39 0182 989968 or write to museo@comune.toirano.sv.it.

When to go and what to check

The show is usually held in December and January, around Christmas and until Epiphany. The official 2026–27 dates are not yet confirmed: check the calendar on the municipality’s site (Comune di Toirano). Always verify three things before leaving: the opening dates, where the map is collected and whether the show has a charge. There is no official information on the last point.

If you want to combine the cribs with the caves, remember that the Toirano Caves have their own hours and, according to the Caves service, are closed on 25 December and 1 January; check toiranogrotte.it and book, because booking is compulsory. Visit details are in our guide to Toirano.

Practical tips

• Go in the afternoon and stay until evening: cribs in windows look best with the lights on.
• Wear comfortable shoes: the alleys have steps and cobbled and slate paving.
• Leave the car at the edge of the village; the centre is for pedestrians.
• Without a car: train to Loano, then TPL Linea bus 81 (times on tpllinea.it).
• If you come from the coast, combine the day with Borghetto Santo Spirito, about 3 km away.