Dean Martin would have said: “It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas”.
Here we are, is almost Christmas and apart from the mild weather, Catania is ready to embrace the festive season.
Traditionally the Holiday Season starts with the Immaculate Conception and its typical celebrations within the Sanctuary of San Francesco d’Assisi all’Immacolata where the artistic eighteenth-century statue of the Holy Immaculate Mary is kept.
The lights of the traditional Christmas Tree located in the University Square have been turned on and this year, in spite of the economic crisis just voted by the city council, it has been joined by a second tree in Stesicoro Square, close to the entrance of the famous Roman Amphitheater. This tree was donated by the neighborhood shops, together with the cultural association “Le Pulci di Città” which thanks to a fundraising campaign sponsored this second Tree. Similar initiatives have been launched in different parts of the city, which is being lightened thanks to the work of its citizens.
But this is only the beginning of the magic. Tomorrow, December 14th, the “XMAS Factory” will be inaugurated, inside the stunning Villa Bellini gardens, organized by the Pop-Up Market team. The event will include vintage markets, crafts, street food, dances and lots of music…with a so joyful atmosphere that even the Grinch will change his mind.
Here some other markets to be visited during the Holidays:
- Natale Orto Botanico, a trade show in the heart of the Orto Botanico that will take place on December 15th and 16th.
- Merry Christmas Market in Minoriti Street (between Etnea Street and Manzoni Street) from November 30th to December 29th.
- One Stop XMAS Market – Stesicoro Square Amphitheater from December 8th to December 26th.
So there will not to be bored during the upcoming holidays. Whether you love Christmas or not, Catania will surprise its citizens and visitors who choose to walk through the streets of the City Center and let everyone be carried away by this magical atmosphere.
Photography by Roberto Viglianisi