I got to spend a day in Rome this past week on a layover. Christmas in Rome is all about the Nativity. There are Nativity scenes set up in all the major plazas and in front of the churches around town. In December Piazza Navona, is transformed into a huge Christmas market. A large nativity scene is in the square. Stalls sell all kinds of Christmas nativity figures,
decorations, candy and gifts.
There's a merry-go-round and Babbo Natale, Santa Claus is also there. The lady with him is not Mrs. Claus, she is La Befana. La Befana is who delivers presents to children in Italy on Epiphany, much like our Santa Claus. 
In Piazza Navona, you could get your photo taken with Babbo Natale and La Befana. Christian legend has it that The Magi asked La Befana where the baby Jesus was, but she did not know. She provided them with shelter for a night. They invited her to join them on the journey to find the baby Jesus, but she declined, stating she was too busy with her housework. Later, La Befana had a change of heart,and went looking for the baby Jesus. Befana still searches today, on Epiphany, Befana comes to a house where there is a child and leaves a gift. Befana looks like a witch. And like for Santa, the italian children leave a snack for Befana! The child's family typically leaves a small glass of wine and a plate with a few morsels of food.
The Piazza Navonna was filled with places to purchase nativity stuff. Like furnishing dollhouses or building a model train layout. There were all sorts of things to put together to build your own nativity.
I also walked around town to see my favorite tourist attractions in Rome. The mouth of truth, La Bocca della Verità , is my favorite. Anyone who had seen Roman Holiday with Gregory Peck and Audrey Hepburn is familiar with this sculpture.
Bocca della Verita
Chestnuts roasting on an open fire! Why don't I see this in the USA more? I can't resist roasted chestnuts! So yummy, hot and served in a paper cone.
I also walked by the forum, where I saw this bride and groom getting their wedding photos taken!
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9 comments:
Amanda,
It sounds like you had a great day in Rome. We lived in Italy for three years and now it seems the more we are back here in the US, the more we miss Italy. The Italians are full of religion and tradition. We miss it more around Christmas.
Amanda, thanks for all the nativity information from Rome. Somehow, in all my life, I never heard that story.
zoemomma
Did you find any Roman letterboxes? ;-)
Wonderful pictures.
Thanks for sharing the stories about the Italian traditions & the photos. Very interesting!
Yes, I actually got two letterboxes while in Rome that day!
Interesting info! Thanks. I've never been to Rome at this time of year. Goes to show you miss out on a lot of culture when you only go places in the summer time. % }
Buttercup
Some brilliant pictures Amanda! Especially the one with the tall columns. Well done!
I love Roman Holiday and would love to see the "Mouth of Truth. That scene was sort of copied in the second National Treasure Book of Secrets but it always makes me jump!
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