La Befana

One of the Befana on Piazza Navona

On January 6th, Italian children of all ages celebrate “il giorno della Befana”. La Befana, the benevolent witch who comes riding a flying broomstick, is a national holiday in Italy. She represents the end of the holiday season for millions of children, who are going back to school from their Christmas holidays the following day.

Today Piazza Navona is full of people to celebrate the end of the festivities.

If you want some sweets today don't forget to sing her song:

La Befana vien di notte
con le scarpe tutte rotte
col vestito alla romana:
Viva viva la Befana!

Christmas decorations around Rome: Piazza Navona & Piazza Venezia

Christmas decorations embellish the city we live in during the Christmas seasons and Rome is not an exception. 

On Boxing Day my parents stayed in Rome, enjoying their break and so here a few shots by my dad in Piazza Navona first, where is the Fountain of the Four River by Gian Lorenzo Bernini.... and now full of stands for Christmas.

lollies

befane

ballons

babbo natale

nativity

lights

Between the stands the are more Babbo Natale and Befane ...which one would you like???

babbo natale

befana

.... when they left Piazza Navona, they decided to carry on they walk and then stop in Piazza Venezia, where this time the Christmas tree was decorated and the Vittorio Emanuele II monument was illuminated...
(The Vittorio Emanuele II Monument in Rome is  known locally as “The Vittoriano”, “The Typewriter,” “The False Teeth,” or “The Wedding Cake.” This enormous monument was built in the early 20th century to honor a unified Italy’s first king. Later, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was placed inside, along with a museum to Italian Reunification)

Vittorio Emanuele II monument

...and even the Nativity was represented....

Grazie per le foto papa'!!

Piazza Navona: the Christmas Fair

Piazza Navona is one of the most beautiful square or piazza of Rome with the  outstanding Fountain of the Four River by Gian Lorenzo Bernini, and the Church of  Saint Agnes in Agone by Borromini. 

Every year on this square the Christmas Fair market runs from December 8 to the Feast of the Epiphany, on January 6th. 

On the stands there are booths with toys, Christmas Decorations, figures for Christmas nativity scenes, candies, cakes, 
sweets, chestnuts, sugared apples, the famous torrone, liquorice and much more.

The Befana arrives on the 6th January. 

This is the day those children who have broken their promises or behaved naughtily receive coal in a stocking.

All Romans come here... like my kids who enjoyed themselves!!!  

Valentina in Piazza Navona - Christmas 2009

Lorenzo and Valentina around Piazza Navona

Lorenzo on the Mary-go-round 

Valentina on the Mary-go-round

My angels

Photos by Simona Albanese