Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Italy Holidays- Epiphany

Epiphany January 6 celebration and festivals around the Magi.


January 6 the Epiphany is the celebration of the Magi in Rome. This religious feast brings a perfect fulfillment of all the purposes of Advent. Epiphany, therefore, marks the liturgical zenith of the Advent-Christmas season. Three mysteries are encompassed in this solemnity: the adoration of the Christ Child by the Magi, the Baptism of Christ and the wedding feast at Cana.

It is customary to replace the images of the shepherds at the crib with the three kings and their gifts. Being the Epiphany, an very important Catholic holiday, Rome is an ideal place to celebrate. If you are interested in a Rome holiday around the Christmas and New Years holidays click here.

Every year the most popular event is at the Vatican. The historical parade with 100 participants with ancient costumes and 20 decorated horses accompanied by a musical band and the main Italian character of Epiphany, the Befana, will pass through via della Conciliazione, following the Three Kings.

The Befana, a typical character of the Italian folklore probably originated in central Italy, and then become a nation-wide tradition, is an old woman who flies on a broomstick wearing a black shawl to deliver candies, sweets and little gifts to children throughout Italy on the night of January 5 in a similar way to Santa Claus. And the Befana’s headquarter in Rome will be Piazza Navona market with dozens of food and gift stalls and the traditional merry-go-round.  For more about traveling to Italy for Christmas click here to visit the ItalianTourism.us website.


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Sunday, January 2, 2011

Rome Holiday Season-Piazza Navona


Piazza Navona Rome Italy Christmas is where the traditional Christmas Fair in Rome is located.  With a merry-go-round for the children, cotton candy, and all kinds of stalls with artisans selling their creations there is no better place to be for Christmas in Rome than Pizza Navona.

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