# Greccio

> Italian comune

**Wikidata**: [Q224144](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q224144)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greccio)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/greccio

## Summary
Greccio is an Italian comune located in the Province of Rieti within the Lazio region, characterized by its historical significance as the site of the first Christmas nativity scene. It encompasses the main settlement and smaller human settlements such as Limiti di Greccio and Spinacceto, and is home to the Sanctuary of Greccio, a church established in 1228. The entity is classified as a municipal division of Italy and is recognized as one of "The most beautiful villages in Italy."

## Key Facts
*   **Classification:** Italian comune and municipal division of Italy.
*   **Location:** Province of Rieti, Lazio region, Italy (Country: Q38).
*   **Coordinates:** Latitude 42.45, Longitude 12.75.
*   **Population:** Recorded figures include 1,554 and 1,495 inhabitants.
*   **Official Website:** http://www.comune.greccio.ri.it
*   **Wikipedia Title:** Greccio.
*   **Wikidata Item:** Q38 (shared with Italy, but specific to the comune context in this entry).
*   **Sitelink Count:** 57 total links across language editions.
*   **Historical Inception (Sanctuary):** The Sanctuary of Greccio was established in the year 1228.
*   **Associated Settlements:** Includes Limiti di Greccio and Spinacceto.
*   **Honorary Status:** Member of the association "The most beautiful villages in Italy" (founded 2001).
*   **Country Context:** Situated in Italy, a sovereign state established as a republic on June 18, 1946, following a constitutional referendum.

## FAQs
**Where is Greccio located geographically?**
Greccio is situated in the Province of Rieti within the Lazio region of Italy. Its specific geographic coordinates are 42.45° N latitude and 12.75° E longitude.

**What historical structures define Greccio?**
The most prominent historical structure is the Sanctuary of Greccio, a church founded in 1228. This site is historically significant for its association with the origin of the Christmas nativity scene tradition.

**What settlements are part of the Greccio comune?**
The administrative area of Greccio includes the main town as well as the human settlements of Limiti di Greccio and Spinacceto. These settlements are all located within the Province of Rieti.

**How is Greccio recognized in the tourism sector?**
Greccio is a member of the association "The most beautiful villages in Italy," which was established in 2001 to highlight towns of historical interest. This designation underscores its cultural and aesthetic value within the country.

**What are the demographic statistics for Greccio?**
Population data for the comune varies between recorded figures of 1,495 and 1,554 inhabitants. These figures reflect the small-scale nature of the municipality within the broader Italian context.

## Why It Matters
Greccio holds profound historical and cultural significance as the birthplace of the living nativity scene tradition, a practice that originated there in 1223 under the guidance of Saint Francis of Assisi (implied by the Sanctuary's founding and patronage context). Its preservation as a "most beautiful village" highlights its role in maintaining Italy's rich architectural and historical heritage, serving as a pilgrimage site and a symbol of religious history. For researchers and tourists, Greccio offers a tangible connection to the medieval origins of Christmas traditions and the Franciscan movement, making it a critical node in the study of European religious history and cultural tourism.

## Notable For
*   **Origin of the Nativity Scene:** The site where the first living nativity scene was enacted in 1223 (inferred from the 1228 church construction and historical context).
*   **Sanctuary of Greccio:** Home to a church established in 1228, serving as a major religious landmark.
*   **"Borghi più belli d'Italia":** Officially recognized as one of the most beautiful villages in Italy, an association founded in 2001.
*   **Franciscan Heritage:** Deeply connected to the history of the Franciscan order and the region of Rieti.
*   **Distinct Settlements:** Comprises unique human settlements including Limiti di Greccio and Spinacceto within its administrative bounds.
*   **Geographic Specificity:** Defined by precise coordinates (42.45, 12.75) in the Province of Rieti.

## Body

### Geography and Administration
Greccio is an Italian comune located in the Province of Rieti, which is part of the Lazio region in central Italy. The entity is geographically defined by the coordinates 42.45° N latitude and 12.75° E longitude. As a municipal division, it falls under the administrative structure of Italy, a country with a population of over 58 million and a capital in Rome. The comune includes the main settlement of Greccio and extends to include the human settlements of Limiti di Greccio and Spinacceto. These settlements are all situated within the country of Italy (Wikidata Q38). The area is part of the broader network of Italian municipalities, with Greccio specifically holding a sitelink count of 57 across various language editions of Wikipedia.

### Historical Significance and Religious Heritage
The historical core of Greccio is the Sanctuary of Greccio, a church with an inception date recorded as 1228. This structure is a pivotal element of the town's identity, marking the site where significant religious events occurred in the early 13th century. The sanctuary is located in Greccio, Italy, and is a key subject of historical documentation with 5 sitelinks. The town's history is intertwined with the broader narrative of the Italian peninsula, which saw the proclamation of the Kingdom of Italy in 1861 and the establishment of the current republic in 1946. The presence of the Sanctuary in 1228 places Greccio in the medieval period of Italian history, long before the modern unification of the state.

### Demographics and Population Data
Demographic records for Greccio indicate a small population size, with specific data points listing 1,554 and 1,495 inhabitants. These figures highlight the comune's status as a small, likely rural or semi-rural community within the Province of Rieti. The population data is part of the broader statistical framework of Italy, which tracks demographics down to the municipal level. The variation in population figures may reflect different census years or estimation methods, but both confirm the town's modest scale compared to major Italian cities.

### Cultural Recognition and Tourism
Greccio is distinguished by its membership in the association "The most beautiful villages in Italy" (I Borghi più belli d'Italia). This association was established in 2001 and is headquartered in Italy, aiming to promote towns of historical and artistic interest. Being part of this network places Greccio among a select group of Italian municipalities recognized for their preservation and aesthetic value. The town's official website, http://www.comune.greccio.ri.it, serves as a digital gateway for visitors and residents, providing information on local administration and tourism. The town's recognition contributes to its role in the cultural economy of the Rieti province and the Lazio region.

### Connected Entities and Relationships
The entity Greccio is directly linked to several other specific locations and administrative bodies. It contains the human settlement of Limiti di Greccio and the settlement of Spinacceto. These are all classified as things (entities) within the Wikidata framework. The comune is also related to the broader category of "comune of Italy," which encompasses all municipal divisions in the country. Furthermore, Greccio is connected to the "Sanctuary of Greccio," a specific church entity with its own inception date and sitelink count. The relationship between Greccio and the Province of Rieti is hierarchical, with Rieti serving as the provincial authority. The country of Italy serves as the overarching sovereign state for all these entities, providing the legal and political framework for the comune's existence.

### Digital Presence and Metadata
In the digital realm, Greccio is represented by the Wikipedia title "Greccio" and has a Wikidata description identifying it as an "Italian comune." The entity has a sitelink count of 57, indicating its presence in 57 different language versions of Wikipedia. The Wikidata item for the country Italy is referenced in the context of Greccio's location. The entity also has a specific website URL: http://www.comune.greccio.ri.it. These digital identifiers ensure that Greccio is accessible and searchable in global knowledge bases, linking its physical location to its online representation. The metadata confirms its classification as a specific type of administrative division within the Italian state.

## References

1. Indice alfabetico di tutti i luoghi dello Stato Pontificio
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
3. [Popolazione Residente al 1° Gennaio 2018. Italian National Institute of Statistics](http://demo.istat.it/pop2018/index3.html)
4. [Source](https://demo.istat.it/?l=it)
5. [Superficie di Comuni Province e Regioni italiane al 9 ottobre 2011. Italian National Institute of Statistics](https://www.istat.it/it/archivio/156224)
6. Wiki Loves Monuments Italia
7. [Source](https://www.treccani.it/enciclopedia/greccio)
8. Seismic classification in Italy
9. [Source](https://rischi.protezionecivile.gov.it/it/sismico/attivita/classificazione-sismica)