Ruota: Christmas Tradition and Historic Routes

Ruota combines an annual Christmas tradition with routes through forests, meadows and rural landscapes. This means different aspects take centre stage when planning your trip: the living Nativity scene, the routes and the character of the village. The Chiesa di San Bartolomeo and the natural spring Fonte La Pollina add to this picture.

The Living Nativity Scene in Ruota

The Presepe Vivente di Ruota is performed in the village’s cobbled lanes and old stone houses. Residents portray shepherds, craftspeople and biblical figures. The tradition takes place every year on 26 December, St Stephen’s Day. The 33rd edition was held in 2023. If you want to plan your trip around the performance, check that year’s programme before making plans.

Routes Through Landscape and History

The varied network of routes in the Borgo delle Camelie extends as far as Ruota and leads through forests, meadows and rural landscapes. Historic routes around the Borgo have been used by residents and visitors for centuries and also pass through Ruota. They preserve traces of rural architecture and distinctive landscapes.

The two descriptions emphasise different aspects: the route network passes through a variety of landscapes, while the historic routes also reflect a long history of use and visible traces of rural architecture. You can therefore consider the route and the traditional cultural landscape as two aspects to help you find your way, without treating them as the same thing.

Chiesa di San Bartolomeo and Fonte La Pollina

At the entrance to the village, the Chiesa di San Bartolomeo complex stands on elevated, secluded ground between forests and olive groves. This provides a landscape-oriented landmark in the village, alongside the lanes and old stone houses.

The public natural spring Fonte La Pollina is located on Via del Monte Serra and is part of the “Via della Buona Acqua” project run by the Municipality of Capannori. If you plan to use the spring for drinking water, check the local conditions beforehand.

Mountain Bike Route and Views

A suggested mountain bike route leads from Badia di Cantignano over the summit of Monte Serra, at 812 metres above sea level, through Ruota and on to Colle del Monumento, ending at Pieve di Compito. In the Colle del Monumento area, the route runs from the church in Ruota to the Monumento dei Caduti. From there, you can see villages at lower elevations among the hills of Lucca.

Several fountains in Ruota may be suitable for refilling your water along the route; check their current availability locally. You should also check the route and road conditions before setting off. The route, elevation, views and practical preparations are all different aspects of this tour.

Another Annual Festival

In the municipal programme for Corpus Domini 2026, Ruota Borgo was listed as one of the locations for the traditional flower carpets; the festival day was 7 June. This specific early-summer event adds another time of year to the Christmas tradition, which takes place annually on 26 December. When planning, it is important to distinguish between the Corpus Domini 2026 programme and the recurring annual date of the Presepe Vivente.

Discover more destinations: Pieve Di Compito, Lammari, Petrognano, San Gennaro, San Ginese Di Compito, Colle Di Compito, Matraia, Carraia

For the broader travel overview: Capannori.