Northern Italy
Lombardy is synonymous with Panettone and Panettone is synonymous with Christmas, not only in Italy, but throughout the world. Legend has it that this cake was born by chance, without the search for an elaborate recipe or special ingredients; it seems that a baker's assistant, to make the bread more substantial given the winter cold and the scarcity of food, decided to enrich it by adding eggs, butter and candied fruit, thus giving the world a cake that over the centuries will become one of the most popular symbols of the holidays.
In Veneto, on the other hand, there is a very special tradition: in Verona, in fact, Santa Claus does not bring gifts, but Saint Lucia. It is said that during the festivities of the year 1200, in the city spread a kind of epidemic that affected especially the sight of children and that, to prevent it, the devout mothers decided to take their children on a pilgrimage barefoot to ask for grace to St. Lucia, always a patron saint of the blind. In order to convince the little ones to set off in spite of the cold, they promised the children that on their return the Saint would make them find gifts of thanksgiving. Since then, on the night between December 12 and 13, the children of Verona have been waiting for Saint Lucia to bring them gifts on a donkey.
In Trentino Alto Adige, the period of Advent is really very felt: apart from the characteristic Christmas markets that are born from the popular tradition of exchanging handmade gifts instead of bought, there is a particular customary little thing, that of the Advent Crown. Each family makes a crown by weaving fir branches and red silk ribbons; four candles are placed on it and every Sunday before December 25th, families gather around the table to light one together waiting for Christmas Day.
In Piedmont, however, although not very well known, there is a strong tradition related to the Nativity scene that goes beyond the most common customs related to this undisputed symbol of Christmas. In this beautiful region, in fact, there is a very characteristic protagonist of the Nativity scene: his name is Gelindo and legend has it that he was the first shepherd to reach the hut of the Nativity to pay homage to the Child Jesus. In his honor, every year takes place the Parade of Shepherds, or Pastour as they say in dialect that give grace to the newborn Jesus with songs in dialect alessaendrino.
Central Italy
As far as the Christmas traditions of Lazio are concerned, we should write a separate article. The presence of the Pontiff in the capital in fact makes Christmas more solemn than any other city in Italy. In Rome, the festivities begin on December 8, when the Pope reaches on foot Piazza di Spagna to bring flowers to the statue of the Madonna in front of the church of Trinità dei Monti followed by a river of Romans and tourists who attend with involvement to the ritual. On December 24th the classic midnight mass is held in the Vatican and then, on the morning of December 25th, the Pope spreads the pastoral message by looking out the window on the churchyard of San Pietro.
At Christmas, the Marches are filled with typical markets, the most folkloristic certainly the one known as the Candelara, in a small village in Pesaro is set up a fair dedicated exclusively to candles and, for the occasion, in the country are turned off all artificial lights and lit millions of candles to create a magical atmosphere really suggestive.
In Tuscany, the Christmas traditions are very much linked to the element of fire, in the sense of bearer of light and heat. In a village in the province of Lucca takes place one of the most particular rites of the region, the Natalecci: these are impressive buildings made with branches and shrubs derived from cleaning the undergrowth during the autumn, which exceed even 10 meters. According to tradition, the Natalicci are burned on the day of Christmas Eve and burn throughout the night illuminating the road to the Child Jesus.
Among the Christmas traditions of Molise stands out among all that of the Fault of Oratino, a perfectly preserved medieval village. Here is built a candle made of dry branches and reeds, another 15 meters, which is carried on the shoulders of 40 local people to the most important church in the country, where it is burned throughout the night of Eve. On Christmas morning people gather in the square to collect the remains of the huge bonfire and keep them as a wish for happiness and prosperity for the new year.
Southern Italy
Campania and in particular the beautiful Naples is famous worldwide for the tradition of the cribs, so much so that in the city there is a street full of workshops of craftsmen who, throughout the year, make and sell the typical statues of the scene of the Nativity, but also ironic representations of politicians and celebrities who during the year have distinguished themselves not only positively. The sacred and the profane therefore mix and every Neapolitan family, even the least religious, does not renounce to create a completely personalized crib that must be finished strictly before the dinner of the Eve. In Salerno, every year the tradition of the famous Luci d'Artista (Artist's Lights) is renewed: the city is illuminated with elaborate decorations of lights that are made following a specific theme that changes every year, creating a truly suggestive light show.
In Puglia Christmas is gastronomy, markets and cribs. In Lecce every year in the wonderful Roman amphitheater is made a beautiful monumental nativity scene in which the typical rural environments of Salento are recreated with olive trees, white brick walls and representations of the ancient crafts that are depicted with statues in plaster and papier-mâché. Also in Lecce there is the classic Fair of Santa Lucia where, in addition to the classic bacarelle offering delicious regional products, many local craftsmen show their cribs made strictly by hand.
In Calabria Christmas is served at the table! Tradition, in fact, revolves around the Christmas Eve dinner, which is the result of the collaboration of the whole family and also the neighbors, to emphasize the spirit of aggregation of these holidays. In some places the dinner must consist of 13 courses, like the 12 apostles with Christ, while in others only of 9, like the months of pregnancy in memory of that of the Virgin Mary. In no table, however, can miss the classic Christmas bread that the Calabrians call u Natalisi: according to legend, it is the loved ones who prepare this bread to symbolize their presence at family celebrations.
Islands
Thinking of Sicily it is difficult to imagine the classic winter landscapes that characterize the period of the holidays, but even in this beautiful land kissed by the sun Christmas comes with all its traditions. It all begins on 8 December when the streets and houses are dressed up and continue with the celebrations in honor of Saint Lucia, very dear to the islanders and patron saint of the city of Syracuse. Famous are the Christmas carols, the so-called Novenas that the bagpipers intone in dialect animating the streets of the city, but also the living cribs. The most striking is certainly that of Custonaci, in the province of Trapani, which comes to life in a natural cave overlooking the sea. An all-Sicilian tradition is that of the game of Zecchinetta, an ancient card game that legend has it was invented by the Lansquenets in the sixteenth century, originally was accessible only to men, while today are admitted of course also women and every game ends with laughter and general enthusiasm when the payroll winners.
In Sardinia, Christmas is synonymous with reunion, sharing and family; in the past, in fact, during the holidays, shepherds returned home from the mountains to finally reunite with their families, usually around the fire of the fireplace that for the occasion was repaid and decorated. Today there are still many particular traditions that have been handed down for centuries, one above all that of the "Signum Judicii" or "Señal del Judici": in the cathedral of Alghero, on the night of the Eve, the faithful sing this ancient medieval song in Catalan, a sort of invocation of the Child Jesus with the church completely in the dark. Only at the end of the song, when, according to the belief, the Holy Spirit arrives among the faithful, is the cathedral suddenly illuminated by day. Another typical custom of the festive period is that of the "Sa Candelaria" which takes place on December 31; from the morning children knock from door to door asking for bread (prepared for this occasion and known as cocones), fruit, sweets and a few coins always posing the same question: "a nolla dazes sa candelaria? ( "Can you give us the candelaria?").
This concludes our ideal journey to discover the Christmas traditions of our beautiful country. If you have to suggest us some other custom or simply tell us what are the typical customs of your city or your country, we would be very curious to discover them!