Our Italian Dream: The Wonders of Rome - Part four- Natale a Roma (Christmas in Rome)

Natale (Christmas) decorations began to emerge at the beginning of December everywhere in Rome. Even in the entrance hall of our apartment building.

Buon Natale or Merry Christmas is very prevalent throughout Rome in December. Beginning from early December the city lights up even more than usual.

Fendi at the end of Via Condotti have given their building a special kind of magic!

Alan checking out the lights in Via Condotti

Santa in Via Condotti handing out gifts and posing for photos with children...

One of the biggest Christmas fixtures in Roma is in Piazza Navona. Stalls with piles of sweets, stockings and toys are set out in the centre of the square alongside pavement artisits and families out for a fun time! The celebration ends on Epiphany, the day dedicated to 'La Befana' the witch - 6 January.

Bernini never thought his fountains would be a backdrop for the stalls and balloons!

Every child wants to go on the merryground....mmm...where is Alan?

and what about a pancake with Nutella.....Italians loooove their nutella...Carolyna!

or some hot roasted chestnuts (caldarroste)....very popular!

or some yummy freshly made fairy floss.....

would you like to buy some Christmas decorations?

Even Barilla pasta gets in on the act with an ad dominating Piazza Navona.

Thankfully.....a little charity....selling pointsettia's for leukemia!

At our local coffee shop with the much sought after panetone

Italians love their Christmas panetone

Every street seems to have their own special decorations....here are just a few.....

Via Borgognona filled with Christmas shoppers

Cola di Rienzo

Via Frattina

Via delle Carrozze

Via Condotti

Via Delle Croce at night

And then individual shops and hotels like to have their own as well!

and of course our favourite restaurant

One of the main symbols of Christmas festivities throughout the world is the Christmas Tree.......well Rome has certainly erected its share.....enjoy these

Via Condotti with le caldarroste (roasted chestnut) sellers

Vittorio Emmanuel Monument

A tourist on her way to see the famous Christmas Tree at St Peter's donated by a different country every year......The Vatican and St Peter's

is in the background

and here it is...still with the crane finishing putting on the lights.....they also have a famous nativity scene and we have visited the last two weekends and it was still closed off to everyone today!!

A simple tree at Piazza Nicosia

To another grand one at Piazza del Popolo at the top of one of the entrances to Borghese Gardens

And at night

Looking from Piazza del Popolo at (from left) Via Babuino, Via del Corso and then Via Ripetta all alight!

A tourist enjoying his favourite Christmas tree in Piazza San Lorenzo

at night with everyone wanting their photo taken in front

and in Galleria Borghese on Via del Corso

Half way up the Spanish Steps looking down Via Condotti

Another traditional Christmas celebration takes place on 8 December each year. It is a public holiday for all of Italy as they celebrate. The Pope inaugurates the Christmas season in Rome with his traditional visit to the Spanish Steps to pray before a statue of Mary. This marks the Catholics church's feast of the Immaculate Conception.

In Roma the Pope celebrates by holding a special prayer ceremony blessing many flowers that are placed around the monument by people and organisations.

The 82 year old Pope arriving in his bullet proof Popemobile

Some of the flowers arriving.....

The crowds were growing thicker and anticipation was building waiting for the Pope

While waiting for the Pope to arrive we met people who had travelled from Pompeii (a 4 hr drive each way) specially to bring their child here for the ceremony.

Notice the wreath on Mary's arm....a new one is placed there the day before the Pope arrives as well as other wreaths just below her feet on the ledge for the Pope to bless.

This was certainly a very Italian Feste and tradition which all families attend and then spend the day in central Roma! There were children in strollers everywhere!

And then....on December 13...it's party time

Festa at the Spanish steps with dancing

Opera and Christmas carols

There are also many nativity scenes and other indications of Natale throughout the city.

Here is a 500 year old one specially presented in the Pantheon

And below is the stage setting for the nativity scene at the Spanish Steps

And then an annual (amazing) display of nativity scenes from throughout the world at Piazza di Popolo called "Presepi". If you are ever in Rome at Christmas it is a must see. Below are just some of the exhibits.

And the essential get together with friends for a Christmas drink. Here we are with Roberto and Gail. Roberto has an excellent restaurant called Da Roberto in Montisi in the South of Tuscany - approx 20 mins from Montalcino - he uses only organic and seasonal food.

And at Giusi's home below for a Natale celebration tonight including pandora (cake without fruit from Verona), panetone with chocolate pieces inside (it can also have fruit), mini homemade pizzas savoury rolls, beautiful meat from her parents village near Naples and of course prosecco (sparkling wine) non-stop!