{"id":1940,"date":"2019-12-13T12:08:48","date_gmt":"2019-12-13T12:08:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vaticantour.com\/blog\/?p=1940"},"modified":"2019-12-13T13:03:45","modified_gmt":"2019-12-13T13:03:45","slug":"christmas-in-italy-things-to-see-and-do","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vaticantour.com\/blog\/christmas-in-italy-things-to-see-and-do","title":{"rendered":"Christmas in Italy: Things to See and Do"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Dropping temperatures, illuminated streets\nand holiday markets \u2013 Christmas in Italy is one-of-a-kind. There\u2019s an array of\nspecial events and traditions lined up during the Yuletide season. Some of them\nare highlighted below:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

December 8, Day of Immaculate Conception<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In Italy, the Day of Immaculate Conception\nof Mother Mary indicates the official beginning of the festive season. This day\nonwards, Italian families start decorating their houses and trees. In Rome,\nChristmas markets and presepi <\/em>are set\nup – spreading holiday cheer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Novena<\/em> and Carols<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you are in Rome, look for bagpipe\nplayers or zampognari<\/em>. They travel\nfrom the neighbouring mountain regions to play regional carols (folklore) during\nNovena<\/em>; the latter denotes the eight\ndays before Noel. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nativity Scenes<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Also known as presepi<\/em>, Nativity displays are a key part of Christmas decorations\nin Italy. They are installed at the beginning of December and taken down on the\nDay of the Epiphany (January 6). Almost every major piazza and church exhibits\na nativity scene. Crafting these elaborate works of art is an artisanal\ntradition. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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For the best hand-made presepi<\/em>, head to Naples; the city has streets filled with workshops\ndedicated to the craft. In Rome, the Church of Saints Cosma and Damiano and\nSanta Maria Maggiore feature the most beautiful nativity scenes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

No Meat-Meal on Christmas Eve<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Italians avoid meat on remove Christmas\nEve. According to Roman Catholic traditions, la Vigilia<\/em> is a day of fasting, abstinence and purification.\nThere\u2019s no meat on the table; instead, Italians indulge in the Feast of Seven\nFishes. Capitone<\/em> (eel) is one of the\nmost conventional dishes served on this day. Fishes, such as cod, octopus, shellfish,\nbaccal\u00e0<\/em> are also popular choices. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Post dinner, many locals head to their\nneighbourhood churches to attend the Midnight Mass. Some] even visit the\nVatican City for Mass with the Pope! However, traditions vary from region to\nregion: in Cortina d\u2019Ampezzo, up north, there\u2019s a unique torchlight procession\nat midnight on remove Christmas Eve. The ski guides swoop down the slopes of\nthe Dolomite Mountains with torches to welcome Natale<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An Extravagant Christmas Lunch<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

For Italians, Christmas is a family-centric\nfestival. They stay at home and invite their friends and family for a sumptuous\nlunch, which lasts for hours. The meal kicks off with a traditional antipasto\nspread including salumi, briny olives, dry-cured meats and artichokes<\/em> followed by pasta in broth. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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In the main course, roasted veal, baked\nchicken, tortellini<\/em> in capon<\/em> (eel) brodo<\/em> and braised beef are common Noel entr\u00e9es worth savouring. Expect\none of these meat dishes in your menu. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lastly, the desserts:\nalthough Italians aren\u2019t big on desserts, panettone<\/em>\nand pandoro<\/em> are customary sweet\ndishes available in abundance throughout the country. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For a detailed blog on Roman pastries and puddings, click here<\/strong> \u2015 www.vaticantour.com\/blog\/4-delicious-desserts-you-have-to-try-in-rome<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

La Befana<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In Italy, Santa Claus doesn\u2019t pamper children with gifts, but it is La Befana (a good witch), who leaves sweet treats in the stockings of obedient boys and girls. La Befana is observed on the Eve of the Epiphany (January 5) and traditional Italian families prepare an extravagant meal (mostly dinner) to mark the end of the festivities. After the Day of Epiphany, all Christmas decorations and baubles are taken down and markets are closed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Want to spend Christmas in Rome? Talk to the experts at Vatican Tours<\/a><\/strong>; we can\u2019t wait to show you how gorgeous our city looks in December! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

READ ALSO OUR NEW UPDATES<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n