Blog - Life in Italy

Epiphany in Italian,   "La Festa dell'Epifania" on January 6th is as a significant holiday as  Christmas Day in Italy; especially for Italian children! According to the Italian legend, "La Befana", a witch-like woman riding on a broom, refused to join the Wise Men on their journey to see the baby Jesus. When she regrets her decision, she sets out to bring gifts to the Child but never finds him. Instead, she leaves gifts for other children. Italian children leave out their shoes or put up stockings for the "Befana" to fill them with presents on January 6^th. In honour of the Three Wise Men, Italians go to church and spend the day with family. Following the Epiphany, the long, festive Italian holiday season comes to a close. This beautiful site and glamour atmosphere is most lively and be witnessed in the largest square of Rome, Piazza Navona. You will see the Befana represented in many forms at the Christmas Market in Piazza Navona, and also during the Epiphany parade of colourful characters and floats leading up to the Vatican.

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