The Santa Croce Christmas market in Florence

by Ilaria Baratta , published on 17/12/2014
Categories: Travel / Disclaimer

Christmas tree in front of Florence Cathedral, Santa Maria del Fiore

During the Christmas season, Italian and foreign cities offer so many markets to visit that every year it becomes difficult to arrive at a final choice. The most famous, in Italy, are those in Trentino, which provide a unique magic thanks to the landscape that serves as their backdrop: small lights illuminate the snowy streets, almost as if to lead us through the wonderful world of Christmas. True, they are the best known and most visited, but they are not the only ones!

We at Finestre Sull’Arte have our own “trusted” market. :) In fact, almost every year at this time, we take advantage of a nice tour of Florence, beautiful in every season, to visit one of the most evocative Christmas markets in Tuscany.

In the background is Santa Croce, the splendid basilica that houses in its chapels splendid masterpieces of art history, works by Giotto, Agnolo and Taddeo Gaddi, Maso di Banco, Donatello, Desiderio da Settignano, Mino da Fiesole, Andrea della Robbia, Lorenzo Bartolini, and the tombs of Michelangelo, Galileo, Machiavelli and other illustrious men, which inspired part of Ugo Foscolo’s Sepolcri.

The Christmas market in Piazza Santa Croce in Florence with the basilica in the background

Some of the stalls at the Christmas market in Piazza Santa Croce in Florence

Basilica of Santa Croce: Giotto’s Baroncelli polyptych and Taddeo Gaddi’s Stories of the Virgin behind

Here, in the square of the same name, numerous little wooden houses with red and white curtains come together to bring us into a joyful and festive atmosphere, offering lots of gift ideas for friends and relatives: you are sure to find just the right little thought here, suitable for all tastes! :)

And it is really the case to say for all tastes, because there is no shortage of treats: hot chocolate, cookies, waffles, crepes, strudel, apples and caramelized fruit, and cotton candy, of which we are very fond :D

Santa Claus.

The Holy Cross market reflects the true tradition of Weihnachtsmarkts, as Christmas markets are called in Germany. Each little house represents a different country with its typical products: we find Austria, Germany, Finland, France represented by Provence, Greece, Hungary, Poland, England...

Mozart is waiting for you at the Austrian counter!!!

Typical products from the different nations, fromhandicrafts (earrings, jewelry, ceramics, ornaments, Christmas decorations, wooden toys) to food (strudel, mulled wine, spiced cookies, the kürtoskalács, a typical Hungarian sweet with the characteristic tube shape, and the huge salty or sweet pretzels). FromAustria the very famous “Mozart balls” and we can even take a picture with Mozart himself ;) , while from Provence the unmistakable lavender essence that perfumes pillows, bags and small objects, to bring a little bit of Provence into our home. There is also no shortage of lovely, colorful soaps with various scents.

FromEngland special little tin boxes decorated with images of the London landscape to prepare delicious aromatic teas, as well as lots of spices to bake the typical English Christmas cookies; from Finland, cuddly stuffed animals made into reindeer or handcrafted objects made from reindeer antlers, as well as pillows, hats and “furry” blankets to keep us warm during the winter, perhaps in front of a lit fireplace.

For children there are many gift ideas, for example soft toys, wooden toys and even musical instruments, such as xylophones, which are cute and colorful, while for mothers and grandmothers we find a wide assortment of kitchen utensils made entirely of wood.

In short, a market designed for everyone, where time will pass you by without you noticing! Plus, we recommend a visit to the Church of the Holy Cross for a day of art and Christmas!

The market will be open every day from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. until Dec. 21, with the exception of the latter, when it will remain open until 8 p.m. Have fun and happy holidays !!!

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