{"id":1412,"date":"2020-12-14T11:58:27","date_gmt":"2020-12-14T16:58:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/panoramitalia.com\/?p=1412"},"modified":"2020-12-14T12:24:25","modified_gmt":"2020-12-14T17:24:25","slug":"christmas-in-puglia-is-full-of-surprises","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/panoramitalia.com\/index.php\/2020\/12\/14\/christmas-in-puglia-is-full-of-surprises\/","title":{"rendered":"Christmas in Puglia is full of surprises"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Silvana Longo<\/em><\/p>

Italy\u2019s most south-eastern region boasts 800 kilometres of coastline between two incredible seas\u2014the Ionian and Adriatic\u2014with steep cliffs overlooking golden beaches sloping into crystal-clear waters. It is no wonder that sun, sand and sea are the words that typically come to mind when we think of a holiday in Puglia. Add four UNESCO sites, spectacular cavernous caves that inhabit both the coast and inland, where luxuriant nature continues to astonish with verdant forests, rolling hills intertwined with fertile valleys covered with olive trees, vineyards as well as ravines, and you have all the makings for a spectacular vacation. Remember those?<\/p>

Come December, this stunning backdrop is only a prelude to a
truly exceptional sojourn in Puglia\u2014an idyllic setting for a storybook Christmas embodying all the particularities of the region such as artisanship, pastry and tradition. Here are some of the must-see places (once the tan lines start to fade) where you can uncover the wonders
of Puglia. From Christmas markets to live Nativity scenes, the spirit of the season offers a next-level sensorial experience that will nourish your soul and delight your tastebuds.<\/p>

Bari, capital of Puglia<\/strong><\/p>

The Basilica di San Nicola is Bari\u2019s signature basilica. It was one of the first\u00a0Norman churches built in southern Italy in the 12th century and originally\u00a0constructed to house the relics of Saint Nicholas, whose secret gift-giving to poor children is the early blueprint for the jolly old figure we know and love today. \u201cChristmas celebrations begin on December 6 in Puglia with the festival of Saint Nicholas, the protector of the city of Bari, where you can find the tomb of the saint in a stunning-style Basilica, and it ends with the Fanove bonfires (also called focare, fanoje or fracchie),\u201d says Michele Piva of Apulia Slow Travel in Ostuni.<\/p>

\"\"
Bari_Basilica di San Nicola, interno photo by Franco Cappellari<\/figcaption><\/figure>

Locals begin to gather in the town centre as early as 5 a.m. that morning with their cups of hot chocolate in hand as they await the mass to honour\u00a0their city\u2019s patron saint. The masses continue throughout the day and,
as daylight starts to wane, the festivities continue with the lighting of the Christmas tree in Piazza del Ferrarese and the Christmas markets open in Piazza Mercantile and children are given gifts to inaugurate the Christmas season. \u201cThere are celebrations in honour of Saint Nicholas\u00a0in many churches dedicated to him not only in Bari but in various parts\u00a0of Puglia and the world, as the cult of St. Nicholas is very strong both in\u00a0the East and in the West. Surely, in Bari this religious moment is lived\u00a0with more fervour by the local people. In other cities of Puglia, it is usually the feast of the Immaculate Conception (December 8) that marks the beginning of Christmas,\u201d explains Enza Sgaramella of Turisti\u00a0in Puglia, located in Andria.<\/p>

Lecce, capital of Salento<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>

There is no better place to kick off the opening of Christ-\u00a0mas markets on December 8 than in the sublimely Baroque city of Lecce in Salento with their Fiera dei Pupi, an exhibition that showcases the best of local craftsmanship in Piazza Sant\u2019Oronzo. Known for their expert use of papier- m\u00e2ch\u00e9 (the poor man\u2019s marble) highly elaborate nativity\u00a0scenes are recreated that go beyond the primary characters\u00a0of just Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus and the Three Kings. Entire villages are created around the manger, which are in essence\u00a0only a prelude to the live Nativity scenes that are created in more than 30 locations throughout Puglia.<\/p>

\"\"
Lecce, presepe nell’Anfiteatro Romano, photo by Paolo Laku <\/figcaption><\/figure>

Live Nativity Scenes<\/strong><\/p>

Sgaramella touts the entire region as the perfect setting for this religious ritual. \u201cThe Apulian territory offers natural scenarios\u00a0for the representation of the Nativity: little villages, caves and nature reserves, farms and trulli, churches, countryside and sea. Numerous characters in traditional clothes recreate the atmosphere of ancient Bethlehem, recaptu- ring the crafts, markets and peasant life of the time.\u201d<\/p>

\"\"<\/figure>

All the characters, including the ox, the\u00a0donkey, Joseph, Mary and baby Jesus are cho- sen from local families. Although all live Na-\u00a0tivity scenes are worth seeing, Sgaramella says\u00a0among the most enchanting live Nativity scenes is the one that takes place in the UNESCO site,\u00a0Alberobello, between the trulli in the ancient Aia Piccola district, as well as the live Nativity in the town of Pezze di Greco (province of Brindisi), which takes place in an evocative\u00a0rocky village among the olive trees.<\/p>

\"\"<\/figure>

Piva\u2019s favourite scenes take place in Tricase, on a small hill called Monte Orco, as well as in the village of Specchia, both in the province
of Lecce.<\/p>

Dressed up for Christmas<\/strong><\/p>

There are a multitude of villages, cities and hamlets that are coloured with a thousand lights skillfully handcrafted by artisans. \u201cThe\u00a0luminarie\u00a0<\/em>are in\u00a0fact an ancient tradition handed down from generation to generation and are now exported all over the world,\u201d says Sgaramella.<\/p>