Saint Lucia Archives - AriArt Italy

Brrrr we are back in the mountains! But what a wonderful view! We are in Trentino South Tyrol, where you can breath the Christmas atmosphere all over.

Trentino South Tyrol is bordered by Austria and by Switzerland to the north-west. It is extremely mountainous, covering a large part of the Dolomites and the southern Alps. Two provinces, Trentino in the south and South Tyrol in the north, compose the region.

Trentino South Tyrol has always been a land of borders. Geomorphic boundaries between valleys, mountains and uplands. But also borders and meeting points between different cultures, still a mixture of German, Italian and Ladin. These intersections combined with the relatively isolated location of some valleys have made the territory unique and particularly rich in history and traditions preserved until today.

In Trentino South Tyrol during the month of December people follow an Advent chronological journey. It begins on the 6th of December with the feast of St. Nicholas and Krampus. Then it gets to the celebration of Saint Lucia on 13th of December. Followed by the twelve magical waking nights between Christmas and Epiphany with the ceremony of the Star and the Three Wise Men.

Continue reading Trentino South Tyrol and its traditional Christmas Advent

And here we are in Lombardy. Ready to know more about this region so rich of traditions?

Lombardy is located in northern Italy. The name has its origin from the Longobards who occupied the region in the sixth century, after the fall of the Roman empire.

In Lombardy the ancient and ritual tradition of the Yule log is also widely practiced throughout the region. People use to select the log among the most valuable woods as ash, pine, oak and even fruit trees.

At the arrival of the log in the houses would have followed always a big party, decorating the trunks with ribbons, leaves and flowers. Younger children rode on the stump astride and, in its wake, people doffed their hats and bowed. On Christmas the household head then would light up the log, often with the remains of the previous year. He also recited prayers and in some areas he poured on the trunk wine or grain, as good luck. People believed that the remains of the log had healing powers and could use it in fact for most situations: to treat sick calves, to have a good harvest and even for human health as sickness of teeth.

Introducing the Christmas in Lombardy we have to talk about Panettone. One of the symbol of the Italian Christmas in the world.

Continue reading Lombardy and its Christmas with Saint Lucia and Panettone