{"id":37460,"date":"2024-12-09T21:27:00","date_gmt":"2024-12-09T20:27:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/la-bella-vita.club\/?p=37460"},"modified":"2025-06-21T20:09:50","modified_gmt":"2025-06-21T18:09:50","slug":"how-the-advent-and-christmas-season-works-in-italy-buon-natale","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/la-bella-vita.club\/en\/so-laeuft-die-advents-und-weihnachtszeit-in-italien-buon-natale\/","title":{"rendered":"Piano, piano! How the pre-Christmas season works in Italy"},"content":{"rendered":"

Florence in the run-up to Christmas<\/strong>t Photo: adisa - stock.adobe.com<\/sub><\/sup><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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From our editorial team<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Italy can also be quite piano, piano - at least when Christmas is just around the corner. Then the boot becomes a sea of lights, from the Alps to Sicily. This is how the pre-Christmas season is celebrated in Italy: the most important dates and customs of the bel paese.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Three facts first: a decorated fir tree has only been in demand throughout Italy at Christmas time since the 1980s. The first Christmas tree was erected in St Peter's Square in 1982. 2. the world has Italy to thank not only for pizza, but also for the nativity scene - more on this later. 3. unlike in Germany, Advent calendars and wreaths were not common in Italy until now. This has changed in recent years, especially among families with children and German relatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Christmas markets start in Italy<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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From mid to late November, Italian towns and villages are transformed into glowing winter fairy tales. Light installations, decorated trees and Christmas markets for around 40 years<\/a>. Since the 1990s, these have first appeared in the north, especially in South Tyrol-Trentino, and since the 2000s also in central and southern Italy. The local culinary offerings are strongly characterised by regional cuisine and (artisan) art.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Piazza Venezia in Rome with decorated giant fir tree
<\/strong>Photo: Valerio Mei - stock.adobe.com<\/sub><\/sup><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
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St Nicholas comes as San Nicola<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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The Christmas festivities begin on 6 December, the day of St Nicholas, or \"San Nicola\". This is celebrated in Bari, the capital Apulia<\/a>is especially celebrated. St Nicholas is the patron saint of the city and is celebrated with church services and processions. Pilgrims from all over the world travel here every year. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In some regions, St Nicholas is not a special day for children, just a normal holiday for the faithful. In northern Italy in particular, St Nicholas' Day is celebrated in the same way as in Germany: children put their shoes out overnight and, with a bit of luck, there will be sweets inside instead of coal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Lucia Festival: The patron saint of light<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Saint Lucia, known as the patron saint of light and patron saint of the blind, is celebrated on 13 December, especially in the north and south of Italy. Lucia, born in Syracuse from Sicily<\/a>She is said to have distributed her wealth to the poor. She is said to have been murdered for her faith in 304 AD and her eyes are said to have been torn out. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In northern Italy, particularly in Verona and Veneto, Lombardy and Trentino-Alto Adige, small gifts are given to children at the Lucia Festival, as well as traditional pastries such as \"Biscotti di Lucia\". In Sicily, the \"Torrone dei poveri\", literally translated as \"nougat of the poor\", is reminiscent of Lucia. Instead of expensive nuts and almonds, this version is made from sweetened chickpeas. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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