Lamb 5. In southern Italy, seafood is traditionally eaten on Christmas Eve and is related to the Catholic tradition of avoiding meat on the eve of certain holidays. Lo zampone(skin of a lower pig leg filled with minced meat) 2. Christmas, as it is celebrated in Italy, has two origins: the familiar traditions of Christianity blended with the pagan traditions predating the Christmas era. Thought to have originated in Naples around the year 1,000, presepi (meaning trough in Latin) began as religious displays for the churches, featuring the usual manger scene and characters. From Sicily to Naples, and Sardinia to Milan, Lombardy to Verona, and Tuscany to the Vatican, Italy offers a wealth of cultural diversity. Christmas lends itself particularly to the display of the richness of local and regional traditions that, because of Italy's particular history, are deeply rooted, long cultivated, and reverently taught and observed, providing a deep and colorful fabric of continuity and communality. For Christmas trees, you can stop by the city's central Saint Peter's Square for the largest of the bunch alongside a life-sized nativity scene that's usually unveiled on Christmas Eve. When they get out of their canoes after going under a cradle suspended from the bridge, each Father Christmas canoeist will give small presents to the children gathered there. Milan also hosts a special Christmas village known as Wonderland Village in the historic town center usually from early December through January 6. with loved ones.But customs also vary from city to city, from exactly which dishes are served, to when to open presents, making every region an interesting place to enjoy the holidays. To kick off this series of crafts that I did with the kids, the teacher provided an introduction to Italy that included general information, geography, and vocabulary. Here's what to know about Christmas in Italy, including presepi, the Befana, and more! The greatest feast of the ancient Roman Empire, "Saturnalia" (a winter solstice celebration), just happens to coincide with the Christmas celebrations of the Advent. Christmas in Italy. Other Christmas traditions in Naples and Southern Italy include the Christmas Eve Feast of the Seven Fishes, although it's often more than seven dishes—and not everyone serves it. A time to stay at home (and eat!) In Rome, the annual 100 Presepi exhibition displays about 200 nativity scenes from artists across Italy and other countries. In Italy, presents are brought by a friendly old witch named La Befana, who arrives the night of January 5 to fill children's stockings. Christmas Traditions in the Italy – observed in different ways Italians truly feel the atmosphere since end days of November month, but the Christmas time formally starts on 8th December, the Day of Spotless Beginning. Some, though, date the beginning of the season at the Immaculate Conception, on December 8, while others still start the observance on December 6 with the celebration of San Nicola, or St. Nicholas, the patron saint of mariners and the weak, from whom the tradition of St. Nicholas and Babbo Natale originates. Traditional Italian Recipes for the Holidays, Year-Round Italian Holidays and Festivals, Italian Calendar Months and Seasons: I Mesi e Le Stagioni, History of the Festa della Repubblica Italiana. Family is, without a doubt, Italy’s most important value, and celebrations, especially Italian Christmas traditions, do much to reiterate that bond. Even the most common Italian Christmas traditions will vary from region to region. Italian Soccer Teams Have Colorful Nicknames, The Aperitivo: How to Order a Drink at This Italian Ritual, How to Conjugate the Verb 'Stare' in Italian, M.A., Italian Studies, Middlebury College. Christmas meals include: 1. But customs also vary from city to city, from exactly which dishes are served, to when to open presents, making every region an interesting place to enjoy the holidays.. Santa has begun to make an appearance in recent years, but there are several unique Christmas traditions in Italy that stretch back centuries and are still celebrated today. Christmas traditions include a variety of customs, religious practices, rituals, and folklore associated with the celebration of Christmas.Many of these traditions vary by country or region, while others are universal and practiced in a virtually ubiquitous manner across the world.. Styles vary and may depict just the holy family or a whole village, but the baby Jesus is … Throughout the whole country, Natale tends to be a family-centric holiday. by Amber. This follows the pagan season of celebrations that started with Saturnalia, a winter solstice festival, and ended with the Roman New Year, the Calends. Torino, in northern Italy's Piemonte region, is one of the best places to see the region's rich Italian architecture decorated in bright holiday lights. The very roots of our modern Christmas belong in Italy.Christmas, the Feast of the Nativity, was decreed by Emperor Aurelian in A.D. 274 to take place on December 25 th of each year. The festive season is well and truly upon us. Additionally, once the village closes for the season, you can head to Oh Bej! Beautiful Christmas in Italy is like no other celebration! Christmas in Italy: The Befana Tradition According to Italian traditions, Befana is an old woman who gives presents throughout the country on the night of January 5, also known as the Epiphany Eve. In Naples, perhaps best known now in the world of presepe art, the nativity scenes, made of a variety of materials, include figurines of colorful pagan and sacred figures—from shepherds and fishermen to street vendors, priests, and magi—dressed in cloth costumes and sculpted in fine detail. (www.RomeCabs.com) Some of the Best Italian Christmas Traditions YOU Can Enjoy in Italy. Italian cuisine is embodied by many rich traditions and in the United States many of the country’s most loved dishes hail from Italy. Buon giorno and welcome to Stefano’s RomeCabs, Rome’s leading company for private tours and transfers.. Christmas time in Italy is one of the most joyful occasions celebrating traditions… In some towns there are processions. It is common practice for Italian children write letters to Babbo Natale(Father Christmas) asking for Christmas presents. In the vein of the birth of Christ, one of the most beautiful celebrations of Christmas in Italy comes in the form of presepi, traditional artisanal nativity scenes that some communities have elevated to an art form, making them the cornerstone of their folklore and economy. The custom to exhibit it at home started from Germany, and then spread all over Europe. In Italy, Christmas eating starts at lunchtime then continues well into the night. Posted on December 17, 2020 by babbityjean. Here are some Italian holiday traditions that continue to bring families together year after year. And although culinary traditions are just as subject to change as any other aspect of culture, at Christmas the table boasts typical regional dishes, prepared just the way Nonna used to make. There is no traditional meal eaten by Italians on Christmas Day – the food usually consists of a grand meat dish accompanied by plenty of snacks. when is Christmas in Italy. Other Christmas fairs and markets are often held in cities that also host larger events or attractions in honor of the holiday season. For dessert, one must have cookies of various kinds, cavallucci and ricciarelli, frittelle or strufoli (fried donuts), pandoro or panettone, torrone or panforte, fried fruit, and, of course, grappa. Campo Santo Stefano transforms into a delightful holiday town in December each year with wooden houses set up in the piazza and stalls selling high-quality Venetian handicrafts. I was thrilled! The other pre-Christmas Day observance of the season, at least in some places, is Santa Lucia, on December 13. It's known as The Feast of the Seven Fishes ('Esta dei Sette Pesci' in Italian). The Torino Mercatino di Natale (Christmas market) was canceled for 2020. This website has great information, great images, and hosts this video: We also spent time gathering information from Kids-World-Travel-Guide.com and WhyChristmas.com. If you want to try to imitate a generous Italian Christmas dinner tradition, make sure that at your table you have extra bread for the poor and some grass and grains for the animals of the world. Christmas is a great time for foodies in Italy. Torino also holds a Mercatino di Natale during December in the Borgo Dora area. The Umbria region of Italy is full of Christmas festivities starting in early December and continuing through the first of the new year. Most of the lights across the city turn on after 8 December (the feast of the Immaculate conception) but be sure to check out some of the other Christmas traditions in Italy.You can find a pretty light display in Piazza Venezia with a big Christmas tree and nativity scene lit up and standing proud in the centre. Lambert Getty Images. Extended Celebrations Towns that celebrate San Nicola as their patron saint commemorate with the burning of fires and processions of various kinds. While it rarely snows, the festivities are fun enough without it. Christmas Traditions in Italy. To mark the occasion the Christmas decorations are put up, including the tree and the very important nativity crib. However, even in Italy, not all of the celebrations are religion-based. 1. When we study Christmas around the world, Italy is one of the unique countries we look at: shepherd bagpipers, elaborate Nativity scenes, and a kind witch that flies on a broom.The traditions of Christmas in Italy are based heavily on the religion of Christianity (Catholicism), and on the Italian holiday calendar. Posted by Stephanie Brandhuber; Have yourself a Buon Natale by spending the Christmas holidays in Italy. Most Italians give and receive gifts on the 12th day of Christmas, January 6th. 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