06/01/2023
Christmas season is not over yet! Not in Tuscany at least ❗
La Befana is the last festivity of Christmas time in Italy and we celebrate it every 6th January. According to Christian tradition, on the day of Epiphany, the three biblical Magi finally meet the baby Jesus. In Italian Christmas folklore, we also celebrate the coming of La Befana 🧹
There is a little song which parents sing to their young children on the night of La Befana: La Befana vien di notte, con le scarpe tutte rotte, col vestito alla Romana, Viva Viva La Befana!
(Which translates to ‘The Befana comes at night, with her shoes all tattered and torn, she comes dressed in Roman robes, Long Live La Befana’)
Of course, there are several delicacies served on this day such as Befanini cookies (mostly from the area of Lucca and Massa Carrara) and Necci (a kind of crepe made with chestnut flour and filled with fresh ricotta cheese).
In certain areas of Tuscany such as Montignoso, the tradition of La Befana is still very much alive and both adults and children celebrate her with great fun and joy. On the eve of the Epiphany, small groups of people dressing up as the Befana walk around town visiting local households. Without saying a word, they knock on doors offering candies to the children and receiving glasses of warm beverages and other candies in return. Nowadays the ritual has somewhat changed becoming a more contemporary event with music and entertainment along the streets of the village.
So we hope you receive a nice visit from La Befana this evening… but watch out for the coal, if you find it in your stocking, it means you didn't behave too well during the year 😄
You can now experience the tradition and culture of Tuscany any time of the year… stay in our holiday house in Vepri in the heart of Tuscany!
Check availability and prices of our Holiday House here: https://tuscanyvepria1.smoobu.net/en/