Arezzo: Mercatini di Natale in Toscana - #ChristmasInMyCity2021

[LuigiZ]

Christmas time means Christmas mood because we are used to see every cities all around the world putting together decorations, lights, special events, special activities. Who doesn’t like the Christmas mood?

Last year it was a very special time and we skipped more or less everywhere this special mood, however this year, in between all the challenges we are still living all around the world, we could enjoy the mood again also if in a limited “edition”.

What I like a lot are the typical Christmas markets: cozy atmosphere, lot of very special Christmas (and not) articles on sale, special Christmas food and drink, it is like the time stops for a short while and you go across a small fairy tale.

Last week I’ve been visited the very nice markets in Arezzo, a city in Tuscany not far from Lucca where I live. They are one of the most famous (and beautiful) Christmas markets in Tuscany, they are even of the most “Tirol” style markets after the real ones in the Sud Tirol region.

The Arezzo Christmas markets are arranged in Piazza Grande, the main historical square of the city which fits perfectly with its oval shape and the surrounding old historical buildings.

The markets are free to enter and you can just walk trough the many small shops specifically prepared for the time, you can find all type of small Christmas or hand made typical articles from the area. A food court area cannot miss of course where you can find from the typical burger and German sausages and Pretzels to the typical Gulash soup from the Center-East Europe.

When light is disappearing Christmas lights will turn on, a very special and well organized lighting system which is projecting in a so perfect way all Christmas decorations on the buildings surrounding the square creating a such fairy tale atmosphere. At this time the square will be full of people taking picture of perfect Christmas atmosphere.

The markets offer also a visit to Santa Claus and a Lego Village which however I could not visit because, due to the Covid-19 restrictions, the access was limited on pre-bookings only and there were no more free place available since days before.

And do you like Christmas markets? Do you have some special ones in your city?

This post has been written to participate in the #ChristmasInMyCity2021 challenge by @MariaNgo .

[AdamGT]

It’s nice to see that not even the cold or COVID can stop the locals from celebrating this Christmas event @LuigiZ . Piazza Grande looks like a beautiful piazza and I love the architecture of the buildings some of which I can imagine date back centuries.

[AbdullahAM]

Nice photos for Christmas @LuigiZ

Happy Christmas!

[LuigiZ]

Thank you @AdamGT , yes this square is so beautiful besides the Christmas markets so it is a perfect location for them. Imagine it became a square around 1200 but Cosimo de’ Medici rebuilt it around 1500 by changing dramatically its original shapes and ordering to build the big palaces you find still now, of course today for different use. The urban constructions was made by Giorgio Vasari who was a very famous architect and painter during 1500 and made many contributions in the area. Below the square without markets .

Well from Covid perspective we have been quite regulated always in Italy and we are “quite” free to do things, with the right security measurements always in place, so also those kind of events were possible again, in limited form … and if you notice everyone is wearing a mask mandatory in such cases. Now we have the Omicron wave hitting as well, more or less depending on the regions and there are some more restrictions in place, so perhaps a couple of weeks later might have been not organized for security reasons.

[DavidTerronPla]

Hello @LuigiZ I’m discovering this one right now and I have to say that I loved it …

In France the Christmas Markets are also a very rooted custom and are a very important attraction for many cities.

I am preparing my next post for the #ChristmasInMyCity2021 challenge by @MariaNgo @@and I will tell you more in detail

[MariaNgo]

@LuigiZ Thank you so much for your effort and participation in this Christmas challenge. You’ve chosen such a special spot to draw our attention to. The way you describe it makes it makes me feel like I am in a fairy-tale atmosphere and that time has stood still. To imagine what it must be like when the light projections go on when the sun goes down also. Thank you for sharing this special market with us.

I’ll add your post to my list for the #ChristmasInMyCity challenge.

[MariaNgo]

@DavidTerronPla Woo hoo! So looking forward to seeing what you’ll share with us about Christmas in France!

[AdamGT]

When I read your words imagine it became a square around 1200 but …rebuilt around 1500 I smiled @LuigiZ because the oldest building here in Melbourne is about 180 years old so it’s always a magical experience for someone like me who loves and is interested in history and architecture to visit much older places.

Yes I have heard that Omicron is hitting hard in some European countries. It is also here but nowhere near the numbers that I have heard about in Europe. However, it spreads quickly so some fear that the numbers will escalate here as well. I have also heard that while Omicron is more infectious than previous strains, the symptoms are not as bad but then only today I heard that a fully vaccinated male, in his 80s died from Omicron in Sydney We just need to take all the necessary precautions.

[LuigiZ]

Thank you very much @AbdullahAM , Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you as well .

[LuigiZ]

Thank you very much @DavidTerronPla for your comment! I’m sure it is a tradition very common in many countries in Europe since we have very historical ones over here and it is absolutely lovely having that cold atmosphere while drinking a warm wine brule’ .

Looking forward to see your post .

[LuigiZ]

Thank you very much @MariaNgo ! Yes I agree the moment when sun goes down and lights on is the best moment and the atmosphere will become magical, that’s also the moment where the most people are there as you can see from the photo .

[LuigiZ]

I do understand your feeling @AdamGT , we have almost all cities here which have pieces of history and even older than that period, and it is still fascinating to see and read about that.

Really shame about Omicron, finger crossed the new year will really bring us some good hope for this to finally get above all of this .

[Mukul_Anand]

A great post with full of Beautiful pictures and golden snowman in second picture is so cute , i personally like the market pictures to know the city it’s local market is so helpful thanks for sharing this post with us @LuigiZ

[LuigiZ]

Thank you very much @Mukul_Anand for your kind comment !

[bretthankison43]

That’s so nice of you!