The Christmas lights and decorations are up and Amalfi is covered with these beautiful signs of the city at night with fireworks above. I’m already looking forward to New Year’s Eve in Amalfi! But let’s not get too far ahead of ourselves. There is plenty to happen between now and then!
Christmas has certainly arrived in Amalfi! I like the stars leading up the staircase next to the Duomo. I will have to snap a photo at night the next time I can. In the meantime, here you can see the stars and the beautiful campanile, bell tower, of the Duomo:
The Christmas tree has arrived (as well as the scuolabus and matching car) in the main piazza of Amalfi. It will have lights, but they usually don’t decorate it all that much. I guess they’re going for the au naturel look.
This is one of the many presepi, or nativities, that you will find in Amalfi during the Christmas season. It’s located all the way at the top of the city and is built into the rocky side of a building. It remains there throughout the year, so anytime you visit you can see it. I love all the little houses built into the rocks just like they are here on the Amalfi Coast!
During Christmas the nativity figures are added. Here you see the grotto with Mary and Joseph and the empty manger waiting for when the Christ child will be placed inside on Christmas Eve.
There are two beautiful fountain presepi in Amalfi, and I’ll be sharing those here over the next two Tuesdays in December.
Buon natale!
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As you know I love the Amalfi region at Christmas and for me, there is nothing more magical than those presepi lit each night along the Costiera Amalfitana. Even in the blackness of that cliffside drive there is magic as each turn holds a new candlelit display. It's breathtaking. TOURIST TIP: DOn't stop for pix at night and just live in the moment. Unless you know the drive well you could find yourself in the water. 🙂
I remember that presepe, it was inhabited by lizards when we were there 🙂 Where do the lizards go during the winter?
What a beautiful presepe. Buon Natale!
Ciao Lisa! Oh I just love those Presepo along the Amalfi Coast Road, too! The one of Praiano is my favorite. It is so hard to get photos of for the reasons you mention. I'll stick to photographing the ones I can safely walk around in Amalfi! 🙂
Ciao Annika! I bet it is a lizard wonderland in the summer. That's a good question! I bet they hide out in all those cracks and crevices where they jump out of in the spring and summer! 🙂
Ciao Pat! It's a really big presepe, but they're doing some construction around it, so I couldn't get a good shot of the whole thing without fences and scaffolding. Buon natale anche a te! 🙂
Hi Laura,
Buon Natale to you! Sorry to sound like the gardening lunatic that I am, but what is the species of the Christmas tree? Where do they come from?
Ciao Diana & Guido! Well, good question. I'm not sure on either question! 🙂 If I can track someone down who can tell me, I will be sure to let you know!
Hi Laura, How I'd love to be in Atrani for Christmas. I believe it is a very special time there. Not possible, Im afaid as we are saving for our summer holidays, when I hope to spend 6 wonderful weeks enjoying the sun and meeting up with all the wonderful local people we have befriended over the years.
Happy Christmas and a peaceful and healthy New Year to you Laura, your family and everyone in Atrani.
Ciao Una! I do hope you can enjoy the holidays in Atrani in the future. But right now you can start counting down to your fabulous holiday this summer! 6 weeks of summer sun in Atrani sounds wonderful! Very happy wishes to you for 2010!