It is the largest Christmas tree in the world made up of threads of thousands of lights that are placed on the mountain overlooking the city, a characteristic village between the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, where you can taste typical dishes such as crescia al panaro
One evening, in 1981, a Gubbio, a characteristic town ofUmbria, someone had the bizarre idea to fill in the Mount Ingino of lights, starting from the medieval village and reaching the basilica dedicated to Sant’Ubaldo, patron saint of the city. Forty years later those lights represent, as ascertained by the Guinness Book of Records, thebiggest Christmas tree in the world and, according to a recent research by DYS.com which analyzed Google searches and Instagram hashtags, also the best known worldwide.
The tree of Gubbio, a magic of thirty football fields
The Christmas tree is made every year by a group of volunteers thanks to which this tradition endures over time: its installation requires 1300 hours of work on the wild slopes of the mountain. The big bright fir is accessed on December 7th with a ceremony attended by popes and presidents of the Italian Republic over the years. Composed of thousands of lights of various types and colors (there are 400 only those present within the shape of the tree) extends, starting from a base of 450 meters, for over 750 meters in height (like nearly thirty football fields). This unique show, in the course of its history, has been around the world: the wonder and the emotion it is capable of arousing, in fact, generate a feeling of closeness and brotherhood, first of all among the inhabitants of Gubbio, and then in every person who discovers it, even if only through a photo. And this year's tree is even more magical thanks to the installation, along the path on Mount Ingino, of audio points positioned on the trees that play a Christmas playlist.
Adopting a light is possible
The lighting systems of the largest Christmas tree in the world (1350 sockets and plugs are used to connect the light points) employ a power of about 35 Kw and consume on average about 11,500 Kwh every year, but part of the electricity needs are covered by a photovoltaic system which makes the tree more sustainable. Those who wish can adopt a light for a year, perhaps giving it to someone special, thus contributing to the cost of lighting the tree.
Gubbio, the city of madmen
Gubbio is nicely called the "City of fools" to emphasize the unpredictable nature of its inhabitants (which leads them to realize, in fact, enterprises such as the largest Christmas tree in the world). Visitors can also try to earn a "crazy license" with the intercession of a Gubbio (an inhabitant of Gubbio) and passing the test of three laps of running "with a fraternal and playful soul" around the Bargello fountain or "fountain of the mad" which is located in front of the fourteenth century Bargello palace, one of the buildings that characterize the city together with the Palazzo dei Consoli with its "big bell", al cathedral which dates back to the period between the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries, al Ducal Palace and to church of San Francesco, just to name a few, not to mention the set of squares and alleys that give the suggestion of being in the "City of stone" of Umbria between the Middle Ages and the Italian Renaissance.
Gubbio at the table
The city, surrounded by a territory of natural landscapes often unspoiled, it holds a rich heritage of art, history and culture, is characterized by handcrafted productions (such as that of ceramics, wood, iron, lutherie, plaster and leather processing) and various gastronomic specialities. They reign on the tables of Gubbio game, sausages, cheeses, oils and fine wines, without forgetting the truffle black and white, hidden in the woods of the area. Alongside grilled roasts and full-bodied tagliatelle, the most typical dishes are the Easter crescia, a fluffy cake with cheese, and the cake to the text or crescia al panaro, a sort of crushed bread, excellent with cold cuts or with freaked, a stew which can be lamb, duck, chicken and rabbit or more meats together, cooked for a long time in a pan with tomato, anchovies, white wine.
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