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Christmas time is a magic moment to relive the traditions and customs that have been alive for centuries, passed on as moments of family celebration. In Trentino Alto Adige the Advent Crown has an important meaning and it is made of four candles symbolizing the Sundays before Christmas.
In Val Sarentino for instance the custom of the Klöckeln is carried out, which goes back to the 16th century and literally means “knocking at the door”. The three nights dedicated to this event correspond to the three Thursdays of Advent, during which some men wearing costumes go from house to house to collect donations, and in return they sing melodic songs.
The Nativity crib is a symbolic scenography as well: in Bressanone, at the Bishop’s Palace it is possible to visit the Museum of Cribs featuring the biggest collection of cribs in the world (it ca
n be visited every day through January 6 from 10 am to 5 pm except for December 24 and 25). Choose your farmhouse!
On the last days of the year instead the so-called Sternsinger tour villages: they are children dressed as the Magi who sing and go from house to house, collecting some offerings and writing with chalks the acronym 20+C+M+B followed by the last two digits of the incoming year. There are two theories concerning the meaning of the letters: probably they refer to the names of the Magi (Caspar, Melchior and Balthazar) or perhaps they come from the Latin “Christus Mansionem Benedicat”, that is “May Christ bless this home”.
Don’t miss the Christmas Market in Bolzano through December 23 (the main one in Alto Adige together with Bressanone), organized for the first ime in 1991 and livened up every year by Christmas carols that accompany visitors while they taste the countless typical and organic products (zelten with dried and candied fruit, strudel, pleck, apples and cheese) and choose among the different handmade creations (felt slippers, wood and wool decorations). – Holidays with flavour –
Christmas markets are also curious events in order to rediscover old trades and crafts, without renouncing to the cultural side (the Museum of Women in Merano can be visited through January 6 from Tuesday to Sunday 9 am -5 pm and on December 24th and 31st 10 am – 12.00; closed on December 25 and January 1. The market of Glorenza, one of the most beautiful villages in Italy is open from the 7th to the 9th of December, and the market in Val Martello, the highest one of the Alps in the National Park of Stelvio, is open from the 6th to the 9th of December). <<Weekend in Merano>>
All over Italy there are countless markets to be enjoyed with your eyes and your senses (from Trento to Merano, from Brunico to Vipiteno through January 6, 2013) and on this occasion Agriturismi.it suggests many ideas for your stay and offers dedicated to all those who see Christmas time as a unique moment to be enjoyed with serenity and joy.
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