Christmas Markets in Foligno

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This Christmas 2011 in Foligno the appointment with the Christmas Market in the city center will be renewed. So what are you waiting for? Come and visit this beautiful Umbrian city! You will find the Christmas markets of Foligno, and events related to the ongoing Christmas holidays in Foligno.

The Christmas markets have become a tradition in Foligno. The city is transformed during the Christmas period: small squares reveal unexpected lighting effects, Christmas music inundates the streets, Christmas choirs, the little market of dreams, music bands, and happy bands are the usual appointments of this time of the year.

The various events and happenings are aimed at livening up the historic center, focusing on its vitality, including shops and other commercial activities, while leaving behind other initiatives such as streets parties and celebrations for New Year's Eve.
Moreover, the attention that is reserved to children has been emphasized with many initiatives dedicated to them, and it must be said that the new featured activities are quite many.

The city of Foligno is located at the heart of the Umbrian Valley, a vast plain crossed by the river Topino, partly surrounded by rolling hills and partly by the highest mountains of the Apennines.
The town has always been a center of economic and cultural exchanges. Foligno is now a modern industrial city, but still retains a beautiful old town center full of monuments and works of art.
The heart of the city is represented by the Piazza della Repubblica, where buildings are of high artistic value.

Christmas Market in Massa Martana

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The traditional Christmas Market in Massa Martana is back. This is one of the most beautiful towns in Italy situated in the southern Umbria and nestled at the foot of the Monti Martani. The historic center of town will host the traditional wooden houses with exhibitors offering a wide variety of gifts and gift ideas, arts and crafts products including ceramic and olive wood, embroidery, crochet, decoupage, decorated, knitwear and handmade jewelry, works of local painters and sculptors and wooden toys.

Do not miss the Christmas decorations and typical Umbrian food and wine: wine, oil, cheese, cured meats, vegetables, honey, the delicious Nociata made with soft and sweet nougat and cleverly packaged in bay leaves.

The program of events for children and adults with initiatives for the entire duration of the event looks even richer this year. Children can not miss the home of Santa Claus with gifts, treats and surprises. Christmas-themed music, street tours with music bands and marching band shows, clowning, stilt walkers, jugglers and pipers. On Sunday there will be the grand finale concert with the Choir of the University of Perugia. All these things can make the magic of Christmas even more vivid with colors, lights, sounds and scents in one of the jewel cities of Umbria.

This is an opportunity to discover Massa Martana completely restored after the earthquake of 1997. The old town, enriched by architectural constructions of the Sixteenth and Eighteenth centuries, is located inside the castle walls. The front door is well preserved, decorated with carved stones and the emblem of the city. The Church of San Felice is noteworthy and it was dedicated to the patron saint of town. The Church of San Sebastian, with a valuable painting from 1595 depicting a "Madonna and Child", and the 16th century Town Hall are also notable. Just outside the center is the church of Santa Maria delle Grazie and the Church of Santa Maria della Pace, with the outside is completely covered with travertine.

Nearby Massa Martana there are many churches that represent a unique heritage including the Church of Santa Maria in Pantano, one of the oldest and most interesting religious buildings in Umbria and the Abbey of San Faustino, built on the ruins of a Roman villa.
The Roman presence is evidenced by the Fonnaia Bridge, built in 220 BC along the route of the Via Flaminia. Near the bridge are the Christian catacombs, alone in Umbria and including more than 300 niches.
To enjoy the environmental resources of the area you can walk the Martani hiking paths, which are equipped nature trails developing on the Monti Martani.

Christmas Markets of Perugia

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This is a mini series about Christmas markets in Umbria. This small region of Italy has four main spots where the magic of Christmas comes alive along the city streets. Here I will describe the markets in Perugia, the capital of Umbria. The forthcoming towns are Massa Martana, Spoleto and Foligno.
In northern European countries and in Italian regions that were influenced by the Nordic culture, the custom of the Christmas Markets is very heartfelt and popular. On days when there are these markets, all the artisans put their handicrafts on display: wooden statuettes, figures of the nativity scene, candles, ribbons and decorations of all kinds to decorate the home (such as wonderful balls to hang on your Christmas tree). There are also stalls selling typical culinary delicacies of the place. These Christmas markets usually begin during late November and last until Christmas Eve.

The Christmas markets of Perugia are an excellent occasion to buy original presents to bring back home. It's been a few years now that even in Perugia Christmas Markets started animating the entire Christmas holiday period. For tourists it will be an opportunity to dive into the colorful world of handmade creations, looking for gift ideas or just browse the various stalls immersed in the characteristic atmosphere of the festivities that Perugia can create.

During the month of December until Christmas, the Strenne Market will take place in Piazza del Circo in Perugia. Stalls offer Christmas decorations, toys, gifts, decorations. In addition you can buy local handicrafts such as leather bags and the "cocci" traditional ceramics produced on site. The market is open from 9 am to 9,30 pm from December 1 until the 24.
This Christmas market is divided into two areas, one dedicated to crafts and the other dedicated to gastronomy. In the stalls you can buy lots of products to make original gifts such as Christmas decorations, home decor, candy, toys and crafts.