Christmas is in the air, streets are filled with lights decorations, windows are magically decorated… Christmas songs enliven the landscape and right over our eyes we see a huge tree and many stands that sells Christmas decorations, regional products, souvenirs … yes…what we’re looking at is a typical Christmas Market.
Originated in Germany, these market are now being held in many other countries, but their history dates back to the Late Middle Ages in the territories between Germany and Alsace, it is in fact in these areas that, what is believed to be the first Christmas market, took place. The first document attesting a Christmas market dates back to 1434, and cites a Striezelmarkt (market 'Striezel', a German sweet) that took place in Dresden, the Monday before Christmas. Later, during the Protestant Reformation, the name was changed into Christkindlmarkt, in opposition to the cult of the saints. We then find the markets of Strasbourg (1570), the one of Nuremberg in 1628, Bautzen (first held in 1384), Frankfurt (first mentioned in 1393) and Munich (1310). "December market" in Vienna might be seen as a kind of forerunner of the Christmas market and it dates back to 1294.
Originally, the markets were the meeting-point of the best local artisan who used to meet there to exhibit their precious work that recalls the Nativity and the Advent. Yet these small objects, created specifically for the market, were quite expensive and far out of reach for the average family of the time, reason why at least initially, only the bourgeoisie was attracted to these markets.
Over the years, however, the interest around these craft exhibitions grew exponentially, up to their expansion almost all over the country. As for the other European countries, the prevalence of the Christmas markets took place only towards the end of the last century, for example, what is now considered the most important Italian Christmas market in Bolzano, was born only in 1990. The tradition of Christmas markets want them to expose only "handmade” products, and it is for this reason that even today these items are one of the main attractions of the event.
But for an instance let’s focus on Italy… if we follow an imaginary journey from north to south, we can see that this tradition came from Northern Europe, has carved out a big role in the whole peninsula, we can find them almost everywhere:
• In Lombardy in Torbole on Lake Garda, is the characteristic market of Saint Lucia that takes place on the eve of the feast in December 12.
• Of course, we cannot forget the Christmas markets of Trentino Alto Adige, which turns red for the holiday season and expose many ideas for gifts, decorations. Amongst them the most important Christmas market are those of Bolzano, Merano, Brunico and Trento
• In Lucca San Michele Fair opens the festivities in the beautiful Tuscan city, on the day of the Immaculate Conception with markets that stay open until Christmas Eve. In other Florentine cities however, the traditional Christmas market takes place from 23 December until Epiphany. Even in the cities of Pisa, Carrara, Palazzuolo sul Senio and Torrita of Siena, you can fine many markets.
• In Rome, the capital, from late November until Epiphany, Piazza Navona turns into a very traditional Christmas market full of stands displaying delicacies of every kind.
• In Campania, Naples is the "capital" of Christmas, in fact, thanks to the classic markets of the historic centre in San Biagio and San Gregorio Armeno, you can find the most beautiful nativity scene dolls of the very old Neapolitan tradition. The skill of local artisans mixed with fantasy, creates very unique masterpieces renowned all over the world.
What else to say? There will be spoiled for choice. Spend Christmas in Italy and you will not regret the choice
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