Winter arts market, fun for the whole Family
Experience traditions handed down from the Middle Ages when discovering the beauty of Christmas art in Florence and in Tuscany. The Christmas spirit and lights become particularly special when strolling along the Arno river. The fairytale atmosphere of Piazza Santa Croce and its Christmas market standing in front of its church makes this festive period sweeter than ever. The market is also one of the liveliest, with more than 50 stalls. You can also visit the monumental nativity scenes of the basilicas of Santa Croce and Santo Spirito, which are in between both art and tradition, before laying your eyes on the real masterpieces of Florentine Christmas: the fresco of the Magi Chapel painted by Benozzo Gozzoli in the Palazzo Medici Riccardi, and the extraordinary table of the “Adoration” of the Magi by Gentile da Fabriano in the Uffizi Gallery, which directly inspire the yearly Magi ride taking place yearly on the 6th of January. They parade around the historical centre and towards the Cathedral, attracting over hundreds of visitors. There are many other options for those who want to explore Florence’s surroundings, such as the famous Christmas market in Piazza del Campo in Siena, the Tyrolean village in Piazza Grande in Arezzo and the Ancient Christmas Fair in Piazza San Michele in Lucca and the Christmas Terrace in the heart of the historic centre, just a few metres from the market in Piazza Grande in Montepulciano. There’s even an option for those who want to stay fit during the festive period, by taking part in the “Babbo Running”. And this is all just a first taste of the Tuscan Christmas Dream.
