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Christmas Markets in Italy are popular both with the locals and visitors from Europe and the UK. The markets known in Italian as Mercatino di Natale are not as numerous or on the same grand scale as the network of Christmas markets in Germany. Nevertheless, a visit to an Italian Holiday Market is one to remember, so we didn’t want to miss Christmas Market in Verona last winter. After some research, we found one in Verona, the city of Romance – what better place to experience our first European Christmas market than the fairy tale city of Verona!
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Christmas Markets in Europe
Well, before we get into the details and pictures, first you need to understand the fascination Europe and its visitors have for these exciting Christmas markets. A Christmas Market or Christkindlmarkt is a street market that is spread out throughout the town center, with stalls decorated in the Christmas fashion, selling items perfect for decorations or Christmas gifts lasting the entire four weeks of Advent. The very first of these is said to have begun in Strasbourg, France in 1570. Definitely more charming than picking up the seasons’ decorations at your neighborhood store!
Christmas Market in Verona
The Christmas market in Verona was held at Piazza dei Signori, an UNESCO World Heritage Site which has always a meeting point for culture and traditions. It was transformed and dressed in lights, sounds and colors of Christmas. The entrance to the city will be illuminated by hundreds of lights, going through all the streets of the historic center, and arriving in the beautiful Piazza Bra, along with Roman Arena and decorated with an impressive Christmas tree on the square.
Piazza dei Signori is easily and often overlooked but was once very important for the governing of the city of Verona, not to mention an intricately structured and beautiful square in its own right. The square features a number of high arches and the monument of Dante, as well as all the major buildings of the former city council, such as the courts and the seat of power of the ruling family of the time, the Scaligers. It is just a few meters from the Piazza delle Erbe, this Piazza is both a place of history and of beauty.
In the presence of the city authorities and the representatives of the city of Nuremberg, the officials opened the Christmas Market in Verona in Piazza dei Signori with a Christmas Tree lighting ceremony. Piazza dei Signori is home for “Christkindlmarkt” for the ninth consecutive year – the characteristic wooden houses of the about 60 exhibitors offer handicrafts and typical traditional products such as glass ornaments, wood and ceramics, many gift ideas as well as gastronomic specialties and delicious Christmas cakes.
When we visited the Christmas markets we saw why visiting these markets was such a popular activity during the holiday season. The Italians pride themselves on the elaborate crib displays and nativity scenes on display at many Italian Christmas Markets. As with any Christmas Market, the Italian stallholders had mouth-watering displays of local food and drink plus of course the usual array of locally manufactured seasonal gift items. We wandered around looking at the wares in the different stores and tasting the food. The freshly baked potato pizzas were awesome claimed my kids as the eyed the chocolate-dipped strawberries. We bought some trinkets and truffles in a bottle to take back home as souvenirs.
Visiting the Christmas Market in Verona was magical, it was a Christmas tradition Veronese style! It also meant immersing in a fairy-tale atmosphere, where Romeo and Juliet, in this city of Love, can kiss under the mistletoe held with a firm hand by Dante.
Information for visiting the Christmas Market in Verona
Place: Piazza dei Signori, Cortile Mercato Vecchio, Via della Costa
Opening hours:
Sunday to Thursday: 10:00 to 21:30 hours from 16 November to 26 December
Friday, Saturday / Days before a holiday: 10:00 to 23:00 hours
on December 24 closing market hours 17:00
December 25 opening hours market 15:00
You can find other beautiful Christmas Markets to visit in Italy here. And see this post for some of the best Christmas Markets in Europe. Have you visited any Christmas Markets in Europe?
You might like – Why Northern Italy in November is a great idea, A photo diary of Beautiful Bergamo, Getting lost in Venice and other posts from Italy.
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The first one started back in 1570? Wow I didnt know that people were decorating for the holidays since that long ago! It looks like a fun activity to enjoy as a family! Would love to visit one of these markets some day 🙂
You had me at freshly baked potato pizzas and chocolate dipped strawberries 🙂 Your photos are stunning! Thanks for sharing and happy travels.
So glad you had a magical time! I’ve visited Verona during summer, and it was charming enough then let along when I imagine it’s decked out in lights and with Christmas cheer and atmosphere. The Christmas markets throughout Europe are a wonderful tradition, so I would love to take in Verona over one of the upcoming holiday seasons 🙂
I’m dying to visit a European Christmas market myself, and the fact that this one happens to be in Verona has me swooning! I love the whole Christmas season, and I love the idea of getting lost in these stalls and picking up a few truly unique souvenirs along the way. The ornaments look gorgeous, and I am always looking for unique food items to take home as well, like those jars pictured above. Lovely roundup!
I’ve always wanted to explore a different city for Christmas. Perhaps, I should look into Verona.