Christmas in Bologna, the traditions and events that take place from November to January, the dishes that never fail on the Bolognese table and many other curiosities, read the post.
I was born in the middle of winter, right next to Christmas actually, so it always had something special this time for me. The period of preparation for Christmas is one of my favorite periods. The lights, the scents and that festive air that makes you think of a sofa with a lit fireplace. Although I was born on Lake Garda, I have been living for more than ten years now in Bologna, my second or perhaps now, first, home. And I love the Bolognese Christmas.
If I think of the Christmas in Bologna the first thing that comes to my mind is the big tree that is placed in the main square, Piazza Maggiore, right next to the Fountain of Neptune and in front of the Sala Borsa. Its small lights, its grandeur and the mist, which typically surrounds it in the evening in winter, create a unique and magical atmosphere. I remember in particular a year in which there was a beautiful Christmas tree, surrounded by bicycles that were connected to the lights of the tree itself and, pedaling, all the people who passed could keep the lights on.
But Christmas in Bologna is not just its tree, the whole center lights up with small lights, the towers stand out in the city center and every corner lights up in some way in celebration.
Bologna has a beautiful Christmas tradition also with regard to the Christmas markets. The most famous and perhaps historical is the Santa Lucia market which usually takes place from mid-December until the day of Santo Stefano, under the portico of Strada Maggiore, starting from the Chiesa dei Servi, and remaining open all day, from 9.00 to 20.30. The street and the architectural context make it a very special and suggestive market where, inside the wooden shacks, you can find nougat and sweets but also nativity scenes and Christmas-themed gift items. This market has a very ancient tradition in Bologna, in fact it seems that it dates back to the 1700s.
Another beautiful market, more recently introduced, is the French Christmas Market which is set up in Minghetti Square, which is located on the elegant via Farini. Here every year a traditional French Christmas village is recreated made up of small and charming wooden houses entirely decorated that offer delicious gastronomic products, from oysters and champagne to delicious French brioches, and crafts. This market generally opens in early December and ends on Christmas Eve, and remains open every day from 10.00 to 19.30.
Furthermore, although certainly less known, there is also a Bolognese nativity scene tradition, also quite ancient. This includes some nativity scenes on display and in particular it has two statuettes of original Bolognese characters, namely the Wonder, a woman who expresses wonder precisely in front of the events of the nativity and the exact opposite, or the Sleepyhead, a man who passes the time sleeping and not noticing anything.
But, as everyone knows, in Bologna there culinary tradition it has a more than main role and therefore we cannot neglect this side. And in this case the king is undoubtedly the tortellino in broth, of capon of course, and stuffed with ham, mortadella, parmesan and eggs. Keep in mind that in this period this product is so popular that the prices of tortelli per kg almost double (almost without).
But the tortellino in broth it is not the only inevitable dish on the Bolognese tables in this period, there are others that I will briefly list here:
- i boiled and in particular the zampone with puree and a particular “green sauce” typical of these parts made with parsley, anchovies, lemon, pickled onions and capers;
- la Piacenza cup and suppressed it;
- the pit cheese
- the mascarpone dessert
- the "Panone Bolognese“, A typical local dessert made with apple flour, cocoa, dark chocolate, honey and dried figs
Certainly a very tasty tradition, even if perhaps not light. I have snubbed tortellini in broth for most of my life, until I tasted the Bolognese ones which are truly amazing.
The Bolognese Christmas is an ancient, fragrant, warm and welcoming tradition, as only the Bolognese know how to create.
