ITALY: The most amazing nativity to see

Besides Christmas tree, Italy has a very strong tradition generationally conveyed on preparing the Nativity. From North to South, no exceptions allowed: Everyone needs to prepare their own.

Christmas is the time of the year you may want to consider to take a trip to Italy and visit at list one of these amazing places that show their special concept of Jesus Christ’s birth.

There are several and unique venues to check-out.

CIRIE’ – TORINO

753 sf is the space is taken for the representation of Jesus’ village. The scenery is one of the biggest in Italy and has the exclusive aspect to be covered by snow. It is the reproduction of the Alps, with a very special view of waterfalls, houses, streams, and characters. St. Joseph’s Church hosts the event.

Cirie’: Snowing nativity

CAVALLERMAGGIORE – CUNEO

It has been happening for many years. The mechanical nativity is created after many months of hardwork.

Cavallermaggiore: Mechanical nativity

For this representation, the expert volunteers have the pride to have used 322 sf of space. The statuettes have an old age, too because these are dated back to ‘700. Moreover, there are some other which have jointed upper and lower limbs, to make possible the mechanical movement.  Starting December 21st, you will be able to see this amazing Nativity in Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II.

LAVENO MOMBELLO – VARESE

This is a truly unusual nativity because it is submerged under three meters of water. All the characters has been realized out of Vicenza rock. To make a clear view of the scene the creator has also placed lights underneath the water to make the whole image more spectacular.

Laveno Mombello: Underwater nativity

It has been 42 years since the representation keeps repeating. Every year 42 statuettes are used to fill-up the Christmas scenery. The event is already opened to the public to St. Filippo & Giacomo Church.

MANAROLA – LA SPEZIA

It is located in Cinque Terre, and it is considered the world-famous outdoor nativity scene.

Characteristics? It is illuminated nativity.

La Spezia: Light-up nativity

For this reason, Manarola holds the Guinness record for this project 7 miles of electric cables, 15000 fires and 300 full-scale figures are used. If you are going to La Spezia, you should not miss the opening ceremony with fireworks illuminating the sky.

OLMEDO – SASSARI

There is a reason more to stop by the beautiful Sardinia island: its nativity is made out of bread paste.

Bread paste in Sardinia

Local artisans have been involved in the years on working on this nativity project. Therefore, have been realized over than 160 bread statuettes. Unfortunately, bread is a product very easy to deteriorate, so help is consistently needed.

The event is hosted to Nostra Signora di Talia Church.

  Antonia L. Mosca

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Italian Plazas and Christmas trees 2019

Since the month of December has already arrived, what is the best thing to do in this amazing time of the year? For sure, going out and see Christmas lighting. Also, check-out how each town has arranged the celebration of December 2019.

Let’s visit, even, virtually the major Italian plazas chosen randomly: How each city has designed their concept of festivity?

MILANO

This year, Piazza Duomo, opted for a modern, ecological, and huge metal tree, high 37 meters surrounded by countless LED lights. On December 6th Milano had the “grand opening” of the Christmas season. The mayor of the city and other prominent Milano authorities of Milano were there for the occasion; when the tree lights turned-on. You can tell from the picture that tree and Duomo create together a wonderful effect to the city.

MILANO 2019

VENEZIA

After the dangerous high tide which lead apprehension, uncertainties and worldwide concerns: Venice can be now considered out of the trouble. On December 6th, Piazza San Marco, was lighted of a beautiful tree sponsored by AmEx.

VENEZIA 2019

The 13-meter tree is going to make the plaza more charming than usual. The Venezia mayor, with many other politicians, local associations, and American Express reps were all part of the special celebration. The night was also enriched by a choir which was playing Christmas songs

ANCONA

On November 23rd, Ancona was one of the first Italian towns that turned-on the Christmas tree. For this yearly event there were more than seven thousand people waiting in Piazza Roma. The major plaza was enlightened at 18:30 when, also begun the show. On that day Ancona started running the Ferris wheel in Piazza Cavour, and the nearby ice-skating station.  

ANCONA 2019

FIRENZE

On December 8th also this beautiful city, in the late afternoon turned the switches-on. Placed in an evocative area of Piazza del Duomo: between Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral, and Brunelleschi dome; the tree was simply spectacular.

FIRENZE 2019

Many events accompanied the past weekend; such as “Santa Claus company”, choirs, lotteries, and religious events. However, many more occurrences have to come. Did you know that Firenze has one of the longest ice-skating of the entre Europe? Intrigued enough? Then, you should pay a visit to “Garden of the Fortezza da Basso”

REGGIO CALABRIA

This beautiful town of the South Italy opted for a homemade Christmas tree. Reggio Calabria, with the help of many volunteers created a tree which was made out of crochet. It is an art bounded to past societies, cultures. However, now, in modern times s the handmade ornaments are coming back as a new and special trend. It took nine months to the “AIL” operators to have these unique Christmas ornaments, which are attached to an iron base built by the local company Buonafede. However, now the main street is enlightened for all the Christmas season.

REGGIO CALABRIA 2019

Antona L Mosca

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A tour of Christmas Villages 2019 around Italy

For a couple of weeks, we have been hearing people humming on the street Christmas tunes, cities have been more colorful with red bows or their lighted up trees, and also, we have been somehow hearing strangers using Christmas ring tones. Well, with today, we can definitely confirm that the month of December has finally arrived.

It does not want to be a cliché, but we are merrier on Christmas season. Everything looks brighter, and our time is usually spent with our closest ones. It is not a case that December has been considered as a high peak season for families and friends to stay together on vacation.

In case you are planning to visit Italy, this is definitely a magic time to go. From North to South, you may want to have some time for Christmas street markets. We would like to indicate you few unmissable places.

Christkindlmarkt, it is a yearly event staged in Bolzano (Trentino Alto Adige) from the end of November, until January 6th. You may have the chance to check on gastronomy stands, along with small business specialized also to children’s interests such as: the miniature trains. On the streets you may smell the sweet strudel, mulled wine, and apple juice.

Stunning Bolzano scenary

Christmas Village in Ascoli Piceno (Marche) from December 1st to January 6th.  In the main Plaza Arringo, you may take a tour on the miniature wooden towns, take a stroll in the main streets where you can purchase several unique Christmas gifts, and you may take some time to ice skate, too. In case you plan to stay for a couple of days, you may not want to miss to deliver your mail to Santa Claus’ house, and participate the alive Nativity.

Street Christmas market in Ascoli Piceno

Christmas street festival in the warmer capital Rome, you may see this special time of the year in one of the most enchanting places of the world: Piazza Navona. This event is going to start December 2nd and will come to an end on January 6th. Music, lights, stores, will be an amazing scene of this last part of the 2019.

Enchanting Piazza Navona

San Gregorio Armeno, Napoli (Campania) is one of the most beautiful stops you may need to take if you land to the “Sun country”. This specific street has centuries of Christmas Nativity tradition. You will find in every shop Christmas Nativity character and each of them are exclusively hand-made. Besides, Neapolitan handcrafter are well known also to place anyone else into the Nativity scene. You may surprisingly see Napoli soccer players, Queen Elizabeth, Roberto Benigni, and many more mundane characters.

Unique narrow streets of San Gregorio Armeno, Napoli

We can tell that San Gregorio Armeno is opened the whole year round; therefore, you may visit 365 days per year. However, Christmas season has always a different and more special “flavor” to appreciate the charm of this great city.

Giotto Park Village. The stunning Palermo (Sicily) celebrates Christmas with spectacular markets. The Christmas Village will be on until January 6th.

These are opened to all ages, especially to the children who can take rides on many carousels. Another event you may not want to miss is to try the street Sicilian food and tasty wines. We can guarantee that the weather is not as inclement as the North of Italy, so walking around the markets will be a total fun. For this Christmas event, all the stores will be opened. Tourist, and local will be able to check on special gifts.

Antonia L Mosca

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