Christmas in Italy
christmas italy italian natale italian naˈtaːle begin december feast immaculate conception day traditionally christmas tree mounted end january following year epiphany italian epifania italian epifaˈniːa area female puppet burned pyre called falò symbolize along end christmas period death old year beginning new one december saint stephen day italian giorno di santo stefano also public holiday italy italian term natale derives latin natalis literally mean birth greeting italian buon natale merry christmas felice natale happy christmas tradition nativity scene come italy one earliest representation art nativity found early christian roman catacomb saint valentine first seasonal nativity scene seems dramatic rather sculptural rendition attributed saint francis assisi francis nativity scene greccio commemorated calendar catholic lutheran anglican liturgical calendar creation described saint bonaventure life saint francis assisi c nativity scene popularised saint francis assisi quickly spreading across europe seems first christmas tree italy erected quirinal palace behest queen margherita towards end th century italy oldest christmas market considered bologna held first time th century linked feast saint lucy typical bearer gift christmas period italy saint lucy december christ child babbo natale name given santa claus epiphany befana according tradition christmas eve dinner must contain meat popular christmas day dish naples southern italy eel capitone female eel traditional christmas day dish northern italy capon gelded chicken abbacchio common central italy christmas day dinner traditionally consists typical italian christmas dish agnolini cappelletti pavese agnolotti panettone pandoro torrone panforte struffoli mustacciuoli bisciola cavallucci veneziana pizzelle zelten others depending regional cuisine christmas december celebrated family lunch also consisting different type pasta meat dish cheese local sweet feast immaculate conception italian festa dellimmacolata concezione december national holiday italy christmas decoration including presepe nativity scene well christmas tree usually put day december saint stephen day italian giorno di santo stefano also public holiday italy festivity extend end year epiphany january italy saint stephen day became public holiday previously normal working day catholic church also celebrates religious holiday even precept germany germanspeaking country reason public holiday italy required catholic church despite fame saint found intention prolonging christmas holiday creating two consecutive public holiday also happens case easter monday nonreligious holiday two day working day bank office open tradition regarding exchanging gift vary region region may take place either christmas eve christmas day present child left underneath christmas tree either santa claus called babbo natale according older tradition baby jesus region child receive gift earlier st lucy day later epiphany january epiphany italian epifania decoration usually taken area female puppet burned pyre called falò symbolize along end christmas period death old year beginning new one christmas celebrated italy similar fashion western european country strong emphasis given christian meaning holiday celebration catholic church also reinforced still widespread tradition setting presepe tradition initiated saint francis assisi quite common attend midnight mass christmas eve practice old custom abstinence meat day fasting observed eastern orthodox church christmas day dinner traditionally consists typical italian christmas dish agnolini cappelletti pavese agnolotti capon lamb eel panettone pandoro torrone panforte struffoli mustacciuoli bisciola cavallucci veneziana pizzelle zelten others depending regional cuisine christmas december celebrated family lunch also consisting different type pasta meat dish cheese local sweet starting december christmas eve christmas novena recited catholic church december christmas eve christmas night mass also called midnight mass celebrated night december new year eve evening mass solemnity mary mother god te deum typically sung sign gratification past year tradition nativity scene presepe come italy one earliest representation art nativity found early christian roman catacomb saint valentine date ad another similar date beneath pulpit santambrogio milan first seasonal nativity scene seems dramatic rather sculptural rendition attributed saint francis assisi francis nativity scene greccio commemorated calendar catholic lutheran anglican liturgical calendar creation described saint bonaventure life saint francis assisi c nativity scene popularised saint francis assisi quickly spreading across europe italy regional crib tradition spread bolognese crib genoese crib neapolitan crib southern italy living nativity scene presepe vivente extremely popular may elaborate affair featuring classic nativity scene also mock rural thcentury village complete artisan traditional costume working trade attract many visitor televised rai national public broadcasting company italy old city matera basilicata hosted world largest living nativity scene time performed historic center sassi tradition yule log widespread attested italy since th century detailed description tradition given book printed milan th century yule log appears different name depending region tuscany known ciocco lombardy known zocco val di chiana tuscany customary child blindfolded hit block pincer rest family sang ave maria del ceppo tradition deeply rooted italy demonstrated fact christmas tuscany called feast log tradition christmas tree germanic origin also widely adopted italy th century seems first christmas tree italy erected quirinal palace behest queen margherita towards end th century fascism custom frowned upon opposed considered imitation foreign tradition preferring typically italian nativity scene gubbio christmas tree meter high decorated light entered guinness book record tallest christmas tree world italy oldest christmas market considered bologna held first time th century linked feast saint lucy tradition market however spread italy predominantly especially since th century birth first modern market among first ever bolzano born followed others area alto adige particular merano bressanone vipiteno brunico trento christmas market established renowned trentino naples tradition neapolitan nativity scene famous century exhibition nativity scene made city artisan shop held every year via san gregorio armeno noteworthy christmas market piazza navona rome verona gubbio alberobello aosta torino asti arezzo florence trieste livigno santa maria maggiore arco cison di valmarino typically italian tradition instead zampognari sg zampognaro men dressed shepherd equipped zampogna double chantered bagpipe come mountain playing christmas music tradition dating back th century particularly widespread south country description abruzzese zampognari provided héctor berlioz typical bearer gift christmas period italy saint lucy december christ child babbo natale name given santa claus epiphany befana saint lucy traditional bearer gift area northern italy verona lodi cremona pavia brescia bergamo piacenza saint lucy night december syracuse sicily local celebration name last december according italian tradition saint lucy show donkey child must leave cup tea saint plate flour animal christ child christ child italian bambino gesù gesù bambino santo bambino also known divine infant baby jesus infant jesus divine child child jesus holy child refers jesus christ nativity age four canonical gospel accepted christian today lack narration year jesus infancy finding temple italy th century tradition letter addressed santa claus spread throughout country customary many family child write letter addressed christ child composition expressing good intention new year request welcome gift christmas day several historically significant image christ child crowned pope namely bambino gesu arenzano santo bambino aracoeli italy infant jesus prague czech republic santo niño de cebú philippine th century french carmelite promoted veneration little king beaune late th century devotion holy child remedy developed madrid spain befana typical figure italian christmas folklore befana depicted old witch broom appears bearer gift january day epiphany according tradition figure brings gift usually sweet inside sock good child coal bad child befana whose name altered form word epifania figure connected others also found culture german frau berchta russian babuška famous nursery rhyme dedicated figure befana fascism socalled fascist befana introduced christmas holiday demonstration charitable purpose strenna strenna di natale gift usual make receive italy christmas time custom come tradition ancient rome involved exchange gift good wish saturnalia series festivity took place year december honor god saturn preceding day natalis solis invicti term derives latin strena word probably sabine origin meaning gift good luck according varro use adopted early first foundation city set titus tatius first caught good augur new year twig plant arbor felix located wood sacred goddess strenia derived term strenae gift various kind including coin exchanged feast saturnalia publishing field th century strenna also collection poem prose poetry placed sale new year use nowadays diminished ceased custom come definition strenne editoriali libro strenna english gift book publication placed market first week december main purpose serve traditional gift christmas festivity oh bej oh bej pronounced u ˈbɛj u ˈbɛj ɔ ˈbɛj ɔ ˈbɛj milanese oh nice oh nice important traditional christmas fair milan held december day patron saint milan ambrose following sunday fair also informally known fiera di santambrogio saint ambrose fair oh bej oh bej fair held different area milan located piazza mercanti surroundings duomo held basilica di santambrogio relocated area sforza castle typical good sold oh bej oh bej sweet christmas winter delicacy handcraft christmas decoration toy antique souvenir bricabrac fair usually crowded partly saint ambrose day immediately followed immaculate conception day italian national holiday potentially followed weekend milanese usually several free day fair day celebration devoted ambrose milan date back late th century actual oh bej oh bej fair said established occasion giannetto castiglione delegate pope pius iv visiting milan december confeugo ipa kuŋˈføːgu genoese confuòco italian ancient cultural event liguria traditionally celebrated christmas eve couple day christmas historical event linked republic genoa still commemorated today mainly genoa savona also ligurian municipality seat podesterie capitaneati historical source testify tradition born genoa early year th century although probably historical event date back older time born pay homage highest office free commune podestà later republic genoa captain people since doge popular ceremony consists donating large laurel trunk branch adorned red white ribbon colour genoa flag public authority laurel branch burned name event actually derives genoeseitalian word bonfire bonfire followed abbot reporting various city problem doge public square genoa today role abbot people played president historical genoese association compagna doge played mayor ndocciata ancient christmas festival celebrated molise southern italy specifically city agnone evening december ndocciata agnone parade great number ndocce torch structure typical fanwise shape made silver fir pinewood pallet may one torch often multiple torch fire four metre high torch transported different carrier dressed traditional costume big bell st anthony’s church rung group city district capammonde capabballe colle sente guastra onofrio san quirico consisting hundred carrier age light torch set along main street thus becomes local call river fire choral participation bagpiper along road village group compete order biggest beautiful torch procession end bonfire called bonfire brotherhood plebiscite square nativity scene displayed badalisc also badalisk mythical creature val camonica italy southern central alp badalisc represented today creature big head covered goat skin two small horn huge mouth glowing eye according legend badalisc life wood around village andrista commune cevo supposed annoy community year captured period epiphany january led rope village musician masked character including il giovane young man il vecchio old man la vecchia old woman young woman signorina bait animal lust also old witch beat drum bearded shepherd hunchback un torvo gobetto rustic duel animal traditionally men take part although dressed woman medieval time woman prohibited participating exhibition even see hear badaliscs speech would denied holy communion following day village square formerly stable badaliscs speech la ntifunada read mythological animal gossip community badalisc dumb creature speech nowadays written rhyme read interpreter improvised written advance speech reveals supposed sin scheming community speech hunchback bang stick rhythmically interval speech followed singing dancing feasting evening community eats badalisc polenta commercial version traditional food launched recently village child would beg house house badalisc celebration cornmeal make polenta badalisc salami also specially made badalisc place honour feast agnolini type eggbased stuffed pasta originating province mantua mantuan dialect commonly called agnulìn agnulì oftentimes eaten soup broth recipe agnolotti first published bartolomeo stefani cook court gonzaga family book art cooking well agnolinis recipe passed generation generation mantuan family agnolini main ingredient soup mantuan cuisine usually consumed holiday important occasion according mantuan tradition christmas eve chicken broth agnolini alongside traditional mantuan dish agnolinis soup sorbir dagnoli abundant addition parmesan cheese consumed sorbir red wine added generally lambrusco represents opening christmas lunch cappelletti italian kappelˈletti ringshaped italian stuffed pasta called characteristic shape resembles hat cappello italian compared tortellini different shape larger size thicker dough different filling origin recipe widespread territorial basis ancient traditionally historically linked emiliaromagna marche area spread century becoming typical dish various city recent source specifically indicate area cesenaferrarareggio emilia triangle place origin others report marche land cappelletti ancient tradition cappelletti also traditional reggio nellemilia parma especially christmas holiday reggiano type shaped like small hat similar ring different anolini cappelletti parma similar filling pellegrino artusi native forlimpopoli science kitchen art eating well report recipe romagnastyle cappelletti ricottabased filling ricotta raviggiolo capon breast pork loin cooked capon broth umbria cappelletti capon broth also considered typical dish new year day unlike romagna filling made cheese umbrian recipe also includes mixed meat veal turkey chicken pork loin pavese agnolotti type eggbased stuffed pasta lombard cuisine served hot warm typical oltrepò pavese area province pavia italian region lombardy pavese agnolotti served dry sauce based pavese stew goose broth filling pavese agnolotti based pavese stew recipe stuffed eggbased pasta characterized influence piedmontese piacentino cuisine characteristic area border oltrepò pavese shape pasta based piedmontese agnolotti filling pavese stew based stracotto alla piacentina filling piacentino anolini piedmontese agnolotti particular differ pavese agnolotti due filling instead based roast meat pavese agnolotti typical dish christmas tradition consumed celebration important occasion northern italy capon eaten meat dish served christmas day tradition date back middle age capon broth consumed christmas holiday also linked celebration winter solstice particular milan around christmas four capon raised deeprooted tradition also reported alessandro manzoni betrothed generally ranked among masterpiece world literature four capon christmas holiday milan eaten respectively feast st ambrose patron saint milan christmas new year eve epiphany typical christmas recipe dish stuffed capon filling minced veal sausage stale bread milk used flavored pepper nutmeg rosemary garlic sage parsley traditionally capon served table garnished pomegranate seed one oldest symbol linked fertility wellbeing abbacchio italian preparation lamb typical roman cuisine central italy consumption abbacchio common christmas dish particularly rome rome abbacchio also easter food romanesco dialect offspring sheep still suckling recently weaned called abbacchio offspring sheep almost year old already shorn twice called agnello lamb distinction exists romanesco dialect abbacchio product protected european union pgi mark classic christmas recipe dish involves cooking lamb pan adding chopped sage garlic wine mixed vinegar recipe include lamb cooked oven fried grilled southern italy especially naples christmas eve dinner female eel called capitone latin caput meaning head eaten female eel characterized larger head size larger male eel found freshwater saltwater since eel usually travel river sea tradition eating female eel christmas holiday season date back ancient time fact due shape eel recall serpent biblical symbol evil consuming religious festival corresponds symbolic act good omen link birth christ elimination evil according tradition eel consumed christmas eve must purchased alive previous day period fishmonger put live female eel large tank way eel maintains freshness classic christmas recipe dish involves cooking female eel frying roasting panettone italian type sweet bread fruitcake originally milan usually prepared enjoyed christmas new year western southern southeastern europe well south america eritrea australia united state canada origin dessert probably date back th century name panettone perhaps derives pan del ton referring one legend origin dessert allegedly created scullery boy named toni service duke ludovico christmas cake particularly appreciated writer alessandro manzoni composer giuseppe verdi effort underway obtain protected designation origin denominazione di origine controllata status product yet successful former italian agriculture minister paolo de castro known looking way protect genuine italian cake growing competition south america exploring whether action could taken world trade organization another typical italian christmas cake spread throughout territory pandoro sweet originally verona created domenico melegatti name cake derives pan de oro memory conicalshaped cake time republic venice covered pure gold leaf pandoro today consumed italian christmas dessert together panettone recipe result reworking levà dessert granulated sugar almond originally verona domenico melegatti removed covering added butter egg dough dessert successful several local imitator attempted recreate veronese entrepreneur put thousand lira grab time corresponded small fortune anyone managed match recipe despite one managed obtain prize originally northern italy widespread throughout country torrone according tradition nougat originated dessert served cremona lombardy october occasion wedding francesco sforza bianca maria visconti traditional version cremona range widely texture morbido soft chewy duro hard brittle flavor various citrus flavoring vanilla etc added nougat may contain whole hazelnut almond pistachio nut meal added nougat commercial version dipped chocolate popular recipe varied time differ one region next torrone di benevento benevento campania sometimes go historic name cupedia signifies crumbly version made hazelnut softer version made almond torrone di benevento considered oldest kind since predates roman time widely known territory samnium although originally resembling sticky paste differs marginally variety torrone di cremona abruzzo sicily sardinia also local version may slightly distinct two main denomination lombardy campania torrone di mandorle usually eaten around christmas block chopped almond brittle mass honey sugar torrone di bagnara calabra wellknown torrone given designation igp recipe date least includes orange blossom honey calabria almond sicily egg white sugar cocoa essential oil two variation martiniana dusted confectioner sugar torrefatto dusted cocoa powder southern italy especially naples widespread throughout struffoli type deepfried dough known early th century name may derive greek strongoulos mean round similar dish described archestratus greek poet gela sicily called enkris greek ἐγκρίς — doughball fried olive oil detail gastronomy work lost partially preserved deipnosophistae athenaeus mention enkris time various inflected form panforte traditional chewy italian dessert containing fruit nut similar florentine much thicker somewhat like lebkuchen known throughout italy christmas tradition associated especially province siena panforte date back least th century italian region tuscany document conserved state archive siena attest bread flavored pepper honey pane melati et pepati paid local monk nun monastery montecellesi modern monte celso near fontebecci tax tithe due february year literally panforte mean strong bread derived latin fortis refers spicy flavour originally sienese called panpepato peppered bread due strong pepper used original dessert composed wheat flour honey spice dried fig jam pine nut flavored pepper currently many shop italy produce panforte recipe guarded interpretation original confection packaged distinctive wrapping usually small wedge served coffee dessert wine meal though enjoy coffee breakfast siena—which regarded many inhabitant city panforte capital italy—it sometimes said panforte properly contain different ingredient number contrade within city wall bisciola artisanal italian sweet leavened bread originating valtellina valley lombardy typically prepared christmas time essential component christmas festivity also known panettone valtellinese besciola pan di fich latter name local dialect literally translating fig bread term bisciola likely derives latin buccella lit morsel legend state napoleon passing region ordered cook prepare sweet using local ingredient cook obtained buckwheat flour butter dried fig grape honey nut created came known bisciola according la cucina italiana napoleon never valtellina since bisciola traditionally peasant food original recipe never recorded likely ancient cake recipe cavallucci rich italian christmas pastry prepared anise walnut candied fruit coriander flour sienese origin name translates approximately little horse chewy biscuit traditionally use tuscan millefiori honey essential ingredient dough cooky originally imprinted image horse cavalli italian term horse cooky sold today gentrified version pastry traceable reign lorenzo magnificent – called biriquocoli many hypothesis associated origin name according popular version story cavallucci served traveler horseback source nourishment long trip along similar vein another speculation postal worker delivered mail long distance ate cooky regular basis additionally surmised sweet usual snack servant worked horse stable rich italian aristocrat siena city gained fame horse racing veneziana sweet lombard cuisine covered sugar grain almond icing served two version bigger one consumed christmas like panettone smaller one eaten breakfast along cappuccino like croissant veneziana butter flourbased us sourdough leavening smaller version usually plain sometimes filled custard bigger version contains candied orange history veneziana similar history panettone created around th century sweet eaten celebration like wedding christmas since end world war ii considered breakfast food buondì popular snack italy industrial version veneziana pizzelle sg pizzella traditional italian waffle cooky made flour egg sugar butter vegetable oil flavoring usually anise anisette less commonly vanilla lemon zest pizzelle hard crisp soft chewy depending ingredient method preparation molded various shape including tubular shape cannoli pizzelle originally made ortona abruzzo region southern italy many culture developed pizzelletype cookie part culture example norwegian krumkake known one oldest cooky likely developed ancient roman crustulum pizzelle also known ferratelle nevole part abruzzo pizzelle known ferratelle lazio region italy molise may called ferratelle cancelle pizzelle pizzelle popular christmas easter often found italian wedding alongside traditional pastry cannoli traditional italian cooky also common sandwich two pizzelle cannoli cream ricotta blended sugar hazelnut spread pizzelle still warm also rolled tubular shape using wooden dowel create cannoli shell mustacciuoli also known mustaccioli mostaccioli traditional pastry naples usually served christmas time mustaccioli take form parallelogram consist soft spiced cakelike interior covered chocolate recent year many variation mostaccioli sold naples chocolate glaze may replaced white chocolate frosting icing sugar candied fruit mustacciolis often sold alongside neapolitan sweet including roccocò raffiuoli susamielli struffoli christmas time neapolitan mostaccioli mentioned bartolomeo scappi personal cook pope pius v part pranzo alli xviii di ottobre october lunch zelten traditional italian fruitcake trentino altoadige prepared christmas prepared using rye flour wheat flour dried candied fruit orange zest various spice name derives word selten word nearby dialect meaning seldom since usually prepared year mandorlato dessert produced cologna veneta area typical christmas holiday produced four ingredient honey sugar egg white almond exact date invention dessert known credible mandorlato already known appreciated time republic venice cologna veneta considered integral part venetian possession first reference mandorlato contained lodovico dolces text cinepanettoni sg cinepanettone series farcical comedy film one two scheduled release annually italy christmas period film originally produced aurelio de laurentiis filmauro studio despite critical reception film grossed billion lira million starting vacanze di natale christmas holiday carlo vanzina farcical comic movie released every year around christmas time italy known cinepanettoni portmanteau italian cine cinema panettone type sweet bread traditionally eaten christmas film usually focused holiday stereotypical italian bungling wealthy presumptuous member middle class visit famous glamorous exotic place film set example netherlands merry christmas egypt christmas egypt – natale sul nilo india christmas india – natale india america christmas miami christmas new york cortina dampezzo christmas holiday cortina – vacanze di natale cortina director included carlo vanzina enrico oldoini neri parenti many screenplay related christmas set italy italy new year eve italian vigilia di capodanno notte di san silvestro celebrated observation traditional ritual wearing red underwear ancient tradition southern region rarely followed today disposing old unused item dropping window dinner traditionally eaten relative friend often includes zampone cotechino meal made pig trotter entrails lentil northern italy polenta president italy address nation produced rai state broadcaster broadcast countrywide radio tv network rarely followed today tradition consist eating lentil stew bell toll midnight one spoonful per bell supposed bring good fortune round lentil represent coin usually evening spent family friend square concert various party organised also home generally starting second midnight customary count reaching zero thus wishing happy new year toasting spumante watching lighting firework shooting firecracker gun loaded blank television rai broadcast special welcome new year called lanno che verrà hosted amadeus musical guest surprise many buon natale christmas album il volo laura xmas laura pausini christmas andrea bocelli never late filippo walter ratti pistol ringo duccio tessari christmas almost wasnt rossano brazzi last stop night train aldo lado vacanze di natale carlo vanzina christmas present pupi avati merry christmas happy new year luigi comencini vacanze di natale enrico oldoini vacanze di natale enrico oldoini vacanze di natale neri parenti toy saved christmas gianni rodari free king sergio citti kiss hug paolo virzì merry christmas lucho bender merry christmas neri parenti woman françois ozon christmas nile neri parenti natale india neri parenti opopomoz enzo dalò christmas love neri parenti natale miami neri parenti natale new york neri parenti natale crociera neri parenti natale rio neri parenti natale beverly hill neri parenti natale sudafrica neri parenti santa claus gang paolo genovese vacanze di natale cortina neri parenti worst christmas life alessandro genovesi indovina chi viene natale fausto brizzi un natale stupefacente volfango de biasi natale col bos volfango de biasi vacanze ai caraibi neri parenti natale londra – dio salvi la regina volfango de biasi natale da chef neri parenti natale cinque stelle marco risi legend christmas witch michele soavi upon time bethlehem ficarra e picone vacanza su marte neri parenti mom away family alessandro genovesi woman murder alessandro genovesi price family giovanni bognetti befana cinepanettone mount ingino christmas tree neapolitan nativity scene public holiday italy easter italy medium related christmas italy wikimedia common