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MAZZOTTA MATTEO-
PUTIGNANO TOMMASO-
MAZZOTTA ALESSANDRO-
D'AGOSTINO SOFIA-
MAZZOTTA LUDOVICA-

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The legend of the Christmas tree tells the story of a child, the son of peasants, who lived in a country village near a large forest. Immediately after having lunch, the child decided to go out to the wood: he wanted to look for an oak tree in the fireplace on Christmas Eve to respect one of the ancient traditions of his village.

Unfortunately, as you know, the days in winter are shorter and the light hours last very little. Even though the child knew that wood as his pockets, the night got lost.

The boy was left to do nothing but seek shelter to spend the night as his parents had always told him. Walking slowly through the bare trees lit by the dim light of the moon, he tried to find a suitable place for him but it was not easy: there were no caves or huts around; only trees.

As he walked, flakes of white and icy snow began to fall from the sky making his search even more difficult. Hot tears began to wet his face at the thought of all that was being lost: dinner, gifts, the affection of his parents ...

Tired and hungry, he came across a beautiful fir tree: one of the few trees left green despite the winter. Wiping away the tears, he went looking for shelter near his fragrant trunk. Cradled by the sounds of the woods and clung to his coat, he crouched at his feet and fell asleep.

The fir tree, which had silently witnessed the whole scene, softened by that little creature who had taken refuge right under his head, decided to lower its branches making them touch almost to the ground so as to hold it to itself and protect it from the snow.

On Christmas Day, the child was awakened by the shouting of the villagers who came into the woods to look for him. He ran to meet him and brought him to the place where he had spent the night: the branches of the fir-tree were still facing the ground and the villagers soon understood what had happened. To thank the fir tree of that gesture of generosity they decided to decorate it with what they had: scarves, hats and gloves ... which became with the course of time festoons and Christmas baubles.

From that day, according to the legend of the Christmas tree, fir is considered one of the symbols of Christmas and therefore decorated.

Today it is traditional to use fake fir trees as Christmas trees: they do not smell like the real ones but it is still a nice way to honor and respect these ancient spirits of the woods.

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Characterized by a walking path that allows you to relive and rediscover the ancient traditions and crafts that have marked the era in which the Bambinello was born, are mainly made in the historic centers of ancient villages, in the quarries and on the promontories of the Murge of Salento. The journey, with its evocative and magical atmosphere, mixes with the sweet arias of Christmas songs often performed live, and leads to the grotto of Bethlehem in a continuous party of lights, colors and sounds given by the roaring and the deeds of the costumed figures . Among the most important and particular, are the crib in the hill of Tricase, the medieval crib of Castro, the crib in the citrus grove of Maglie, the crib in the cave of Alliste's greenhouse and the crib of the animals of Calimera.

The Monumental Cribs and the Artistic and Artistic Cribs in Salento

Exhibited mainly in the churches of the various cities of the province of Salento, they are mainly made of papier-mâché and terracotta according to the most ancient processing techniques that the local artisans, as tradition teaches, handed down from generation to generation. The environment reproduced is the typical rural Salento with olive trees, dry stone walls, specific plants of the Mediterranean. To visit, the nativity scene in the Roman amphitheater in Lecce, the moving nativity scene in Novoli and the permanent nativity scene in Salice Salentino.

Christmas Markets, Fairs and Exhibitions in Salento

Christmas in Salento is also experienced through fairs, exhibitions and markets that are organized throughout the territory, ideal for buying a new "pupo" or the novelty of the year. Do not miss in Lecce, the Show of the Crib and the Fiera di Santa Lucia.

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The tradition of the Nativity in Salento has mystical roots for those who believe the legend according to which St. Francis of Assisi, returning from the Holy Land, arrived in Otranto due to a storm, in the winter of 1219. The Saint of Assisi found hospitality in a house of friars and it was here that he was inspired by what would have happened in 1223 to Greccio when, in a cave on top of a hill, he set up the most evocative of the living Nativity. A ritual that appeared in Salento under the flowering of the stone statuary. Nuzzo Barba da Galatina in 1484 and the leccese Gabriele Riccardi, author of the crib of the Cathedral of Lecce, were its forerunners. Since then, styles, materials and crafts have alternated, but the presepial tradition in Salento remains unchanged in its collective ceremonial in which the workings of local artisans are exalted

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It has a fascinating, enveloping, magical air, but above all it is still capable of lighting and warming everyone's heart. Christmas has always been the most heartfelt and awaited festival of the year. An air that in the different cities of Salento, dyed for the occasion of redundant decorations and fir trees with lights and angel threads, gives an atmosphere of peace and serenity, almost fairytale. And while on the streets and in the squares, the festive lighted shops, the fairs and events, the jugglers and the aromas of sweets and sugar, make you think only of a great moment of energy and lightheartedness; the faith and the hope of that peace, of that love and that joy of life that are born on Christmas night and which are renewed every year in the sign and dream of a better life in the houses and above all in the hearts of the people of Salento for humanity and for man, made of the magic of the family, of the two of us and of us all