Christmas in Venice according to the Venetians, here's what to do in one of the most beautiful moments of the year in one of the most romantic cities in the world, customs and traditions of the Venetians during Christmas, read the post.
Christmas it is one of the best times to wander around Venezia: few tourists, closed schools, you can wander through fields, alleys and bridges without bumping into each other or queuing. And if you treat yourself to a few walks in the evening, or in the night, you might meet some of the spirits that still hover over the Serenissima, like that of the painter Luzzo, who committed suicide for love in the sixteenth century or that of Casanova who still bothers beautiful Venetians and tourists.
But what can you do in Venice during Christmas?
Here are some ideas.
Christmas concerts in Venice
It is a tradition that has lasted for decades that of go for concerts.
There are no churches, hotels or museums that do not organize small or large concerts of both classical and gospel music, not exactly typical of Venetian culture, but which has now rightfully become part of it.
One of the best known and most popular concerts is certainly the one held in Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari in Campo dei Frari in San Polo.
The concert is free and usually takes place at 16pm on Christmas day.
A tip: the churches and the Basilica of San Marco are often cold, bring a blanket or cover yourself well if you want to follow the concert without dying of cold.
At the exit a good mulled wine to warm you up.
Hunting for nativity scenes in Venice
All the churches and little churches of Venice compete to set up a crib for the days of Christmas.
Generally, access is free or freely offered for the maintenance of the church or some charitable activity for which the parish is committed.
And if you are lucky, you will also find a corner of San Gregorio Armeno, the corner of the cribs in Naples, also in Venice: there are small shops of "mascareri", the artisans who make masks, who, for Christmas, create little shepherds and other characters of the crib.
One of these shops is the Workshop of the Zanni in calle de la Madoneta San Polo 1459.
Christmas around theaters in Venice
If music doesn't enchant you and not even cribs drive you crazy, how about a show at the theater?
Go to theater in Venice it is truly an ancient tradition.
It's not just about Carlo Goldoni and his comedies, the Venetians have really always loved theater. In the eighteenth century in Venice there were as many as 20 theaters.
Today there are many fewer, but an evening at the theater will really make you feel the thrill of being a "Venetian" or "Venetian".
For Christmas you will find ballets (very often "The Nutcracker" or "Swan Lake"), comedies, but also some opera for children.
Channukkah in Venice
The "Festival of light”Of the Jewish community is usually celebrated in the same period as the Catholic Christian Christmas and in Venice you will have the opportunity to enjoy it the atmosphere in the Ghetto, the first segregated Jewish community in Europe.
In 2016 Channukkah will start on December 24 2016 to end on January 1, 2017.
It is also a good opportunity to taste some specialties of kosher food (food conforming to the laws of the Torah) such as the delicious pumpkin pancake, in Venetian “suca baruca”.
Christmas dishes in Venice
As with all Italian cities and towns, Venice too has a strong gastronomic culture linked to Christmas that cannot ignore its lagoon and the sea.
Can never fail on Christmas table (be it Christmas Eve dinner or Christmas Day lunch) the "risotto coe pevarasse”(Venetian clams, smaller and with less conspicuous streaks than common clams), but“ capeeti ”or ravioli in capon broth are also common.
For second course the choice is between a baked sea bass or a mixed fried fish.
And the dessert?
Well, even in Venice there is no shortage of panettone or pandoro, preferably with a good dose of eggnog.
But a typical specialty of Venice, very good, is the "fugassa" or focaccia which is typical for the holidays, therefore both at Christmas and Easter.
How will you spend this Christmas in Venice? Can you tell us?
