Lagoon Nativity is a nativity scene set up in the Lagoon that extends along the eight kilometers of the suspended cycle-pedestrian path of Via Pordelio, a route known as the way of breath.
It is the longest cantilevered cycle-pedestrian walkway in Europe, a path that runs alongside the northern lagoon of Venice and allows visitors to observe constantly changing landscapes.
Along this itinerary, over four hundred figures made of marine plywood, created by Francesco Orazio, are placed at regular intervals to compose scenes that accompany visitors for the entire length of the route. The nativity scene is always open for viewing and remains set up until the end of January.
The work utilizes essential shapes and lightweight materials, chosen to engage with the lagoon environment without altering it. The silhouettes cast different shadows depending on the time of day and change appearance with variations in light, creating a path that always feels new with each passage. The position of the figures, located close to the water, allows for the capture of reflections, distances, and details that make walking or cycling particularly enjoyable.
Lagoon Nativity is one of the recommended stops of the project the Art of the Nativity, an itinerary that also takes you to the nativity scenes created in local homes. The visit can be easily combined with the route of families who open their courtyards to showcase the works prepared during the winter weeks. In this way, the lagoon nativity becomes a sort of reference point of the itinerary, thanks to its dimensions, location, and natural interaction with the landscape.
The route is suitable for everyone and can be tackled both on foot and by bicycle. Many choose to travel it in the early hours of the morning or late afternoon when the slanting light highlights the silhouettes and profile of the lagoon. The way of breath, with its suspended structure and long stretches overlooking the water, contributes to making the visit smooth and calm, offering observation points from which to grasp the overall dimension of the work.
