Christmas trees were, originally, a Northern European tradition. They have since been adopted into the festive celebrations of many other cultures. Italy, by and large, has been relatively slow to embracing the Christmas tree and they are not exceptionally common across the country.
However, if you visit towns and cities, particularly large ones, you are likely to see a Christmas tree or two on display as well as the lights twinkling along the streets. They are becoming increasingly popular. The most famous of all Christmas trees in Italy, however, is not even actually a tree. This is the Christmas “tree” at Gubbio on the slopes of Monte Ingino. Just find a holiday rental in Gubbio and see this strange and impressive sight for yourself!
The Monte Ingino Christmas Tree is, in reality, actually a series of hundreds of lights which are mounted on the slopes of mountain, in the shape of a giant tree.
The Monte Ingino Christmas Tree is, in reality, actually a series of hundreds of lights which are mounted on the slopes of mountain, in the shape of a giant tree.
First constructed in 1981, the tree was built by locals in honour of their patron saint, Saint Ubaldo. The tree is 650m tall and 350m wide at its base and consists of 3000 multicoloured lights and 8.5 kilometres of electrical cable, placed all the way up the slopes of Monte Ingino, which towers above the city. It can be seen from a distance of 50 kilometres away. In 1991, it entered the Guinness Book of World Records as “The World's Largest Christmas Tree.”
Each year, the tree is switched on on the eve of the Immaculate Conception, December 7th and is switched on each evening throughout the holiday season, until the day of Epiphany, January 6th, or later depending on the year.
It is all possible thanks to the work of a special committee consisting of volunteers who give up their free time for about three months every year. Many important personalities have had the honour of switching on the Gubbio Christmas Tree. In 2011, the lights were switched on remotely by Pope Benedict XVI using a tablet computer. The Pope then spoke via video link to the people of Gubbio from his papal apartment in Vatican.
If you're in Umbria this holiday season, this is an absolute must!
Each year, the tree is switched on on the eve of the Immaculate Conception, December 7th and is switched on each evening throughout the holiday season, until the day of Epiphany, January 6th, or later depending on the year.
It is all possible thanks to the work of a special committee consisting of volunteers who give up their free time for about three months every year. Many important personalities have had the honour of switching on the Gubbio Christmas Tree. In 2011, the lights were switched on remotely by Pope Benedict XVI using a tablet computer. The Pope then spoke via video link to the people of Gubbio from his papal apartment in Vatican.
If you're in Umbria this holiday season, this is an absolute must!
Photo credits
Picture 1: Adri08 / CC BY-SA 3.0;
Picture 2: WolfgangSailer / CC BY-SA 4.0;
Picture 3: Danielac / CC BY-SA 3.0
Picture 1: Adri08 / CC BY-SA 3.0;
Picture 2: WolfgangSailer / CC BY-SA 4.0;
Picture 3: Danielac / CC BY-SA 3.0