Christmas Markets in Italian Villas

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If you find yourself in Friuli Venezia Giulia, the northern-east region of Italy, you will notice and be able to visit numerous ancient Villas that now are used to hold events and conferences, or have been transformed in luxury resorts or hotels.

Once, these kinds of villas belonged to wealthy and noble people who were descendants of old patrician families from the Roman Empire, or had achieved military or philanthropic awards during their lifetimes.

If you mixed the villas with the European tradition of organising Christmas Markets between November and December every year, you will definitely discover a romantic and picturesque blended atmosphere within the barren lands of the Italian "northern territory".

Two weeks ago I was invited to the Villa Borgo dei Conti della Torre – a building of the XVII century - to attend the magical event of the Christmas Markets.



I could not take photographs of the stands and all the products they were displaying and selling, such as home decorations, hand-made jewellery, Christmas tree hangings, ceramics, paintings and, my favourite, sweets and chocolates. However I was able to wander around the fabulous structures assembled in the gardens and the courtyards of the mansion.

I spotted a few Santas sitting together in the grass surrounded by delicate grey-framed lanterns and sparkling trees made for the occasion, as well as small nice reindeer on brown pebbles waiting to give people their welcome to the fair.





However, one corner, next to the main entrance, caught my attention. I thought that these candles:



were just a clever idea, showing that a simple object can eventually acquire a special, and at the same time, up-to-date allure inside an elaborated iron frame.

Lastly, before going back home, you could have refreshment in this huge portico, which is connected to the tower used in Middle Ages as a defence and monitoring point.



There were lavender flowers and natural soaps, and you could have pampered yourself among macaroons, pies, cakes and cookies, hot chocolates and boiled red wine, the so-called "Vin Brule'".



Eventually, I felt I was part of a Snow-White fairy-tale, in which we could taste and breathe the fascinating and spiritual meaning of Christmas.

#christmas
#historic_houses
#markets
#shopping
%wnmilan