Christmas in Rome

By: Effetto Italy  On: December 21, 2017  In: Italian Culture 

Nothing is more festive than my beautiful city of Rome during the holidays. You say you’re a fan of Christmas decor? Then I challenge you to find a more merry spot than the Eternal City.

Rome really knows how to deck the halls… and piazzas, churches, and monuments. The Colosseum, already an illuminated wonder at night, now has a magnificent tree, covered in lights, out front. From the main thoroughfare of Piazza Venezia, with the city’s main Christmas tree against the backdrop of the “Wedding Cake,” up Via del Corso, the twinkling lights are abound.

Also, not to be missed are the nativity scenes (Presepi), which are all over the city. The largest Presepo in Rome sits, of course, in St. Peter’s square, along with one of the biggest Christmas trees in the city. But you can find impressive exhibits at the Spanish Steps, Santa Maria Maggiore and Santi Cosma e Damiano, to name a few. The list goes on and on. There is even a display called “100 Presepi” in Piazza del Popolo.

But it’s the neighborhoods that really get us in the holiday spirit. My family loves to stroll and discover new brilliant displays. In Trastevere and Centro Storico, the cozy streets and alleyways are always aglow. And our own neighborhood, Via Condotti, with its Christmas chandeliers and extravagant windows, is where we take our nightly promenade. I find that it’s the best way to wind down and fully appreciate this magical season.

I hope you all enjoy your own (hopefully well-lit) holiday festivities. Buone feste e tanti auguri!

A presto,
Jessica