Freya's Florence Tours - Freya Middleton

24/12/2024

The oldest church in Florence tonight, Christmas Eve, opens its doors at 10.45 p.m. for the Canto delle Vigilie and the customary Midnight Mass. Tomorrow, 25th December, there will be a Mass at 8.30 a.m., one at 10 a.m., one at 11.30 a.m. and one at 5.30 p.m. All celebrations are in Gregorian chant.

24/12/2024

24/12/2024

Christmas Mass in Florence: where and when...

Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore
Tuesday 24th December 5.15 p.m. First Vespers, 6 p.m. Christmas Eve Mass, 11 p.m. Christmas Vigil and midnight Mass on Christmas Eve, Cardinal Archbishop presiding. Wednesday 25th December Christmas of the Lord: 10 a.m. Morning Lauds, 10.30 a.m. Holy Mass, Cardinal Archbishop presiding. Ernest Simoni with Papal blessing and plenary indulgence, 5.15 p.m. sung Vespers, 6 p.m. Holy Mass.

Basilica of Santa Croce
24th December Novena in preparation for the Solemnity of the Lord's Christmas, at 18.00 Holy Mass with reflection. On 25th and 26th December, the monumental complex is closed to visits. The basilica alone is open to the faithful, for worship and Holy Masses, in the morning from 8 a.m. to 12 noon and in the afternoon from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Holy Masses are held at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Abbey of San Miniato al Monte
The oldest church in Florence on 24th December opens its doors at 10.45 p.m. for the Canto delle Vigilie and the customary Midnight Mass. On Wednesday 25th December there will be a Mass at 8.30 a.m., one at 10 a.m., one at 11.30 a.m. and one at 5.30 p.m. All celebrations are in Gregorian chant.

Basilica of Santa Maria Novella
In the Basilica of Santa Maria Novella on Tuesday 24th December at 11.45 p.m. there will be a Christmas Eve Mass.

Basilica of Santo Spirito
On Tuesday 24th and Wednesday 25th December, mass is held at 10 am, 12 noon and 6 pm.

St Mark’s English Church celebrates Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve at 11.30pm and Christmas Day Mass at 10.30am on 25th December.

https://www.firenzemadeintuscany.com/en/article/christmas-mass-in-florence-where-and-when/

24/12/2024

I'll be enjoying a fish feast tonight... why?
On Christmas eve, or La Vigilia di Natale, many people in overwhelmingly Catholic Italy will avoid meat, feasting on fish and seafood instead.
The menu on the evening of December 24th will often feature baccalà (salted cod), oysters, clams and king prawns. White wine, particularly sparkling ones, are a popular accompaniment.
Eels are often in pride of place on Christmas eve tables, especially in southern Italy and along the Adriatic coast. They must be as fresh as possible, which is why you'll often see tanks of live eels wriggling in fishmongers' windows or on market stalls at this time of year.
You might have heard this meal referred to as the "feast of the seven fishes". This is thought to be an American-Italian adaptation of old traditions. In Italy you're unlikely to hear it called that - and seven plates won't be enough. Traditions vary, but many families insist that thirteen diishes is traditional, while others are satisifed with nine.
Either way, there's going to be plenty of food. But make sure you save space for lunch the next day.

https://www.thelocal.it/.../how-christmas-dinner-changes...?

24/12/2024

Eight out of 10 Italians will eat clams on tonight, Christmas Eve, in keeping with tradition according to a survey by the federation of fishery cooperatives Federcoopesca Confcooperative, published last week.
Total expenditure on clams will be in excess of 30 million euros. The mollusc is rich in vitamin A, phosphate, potassium and protein, making it an important contribution to a correct diet for all ages.
Italy produces roughly 60,000 tonnes of clams each year and is the biggest European producer and second biggest global producer of live clams, Federcoopesca says.
The organisation recommends that consumers buy only clams that are sold in nets, carrying special guarantee labels.

https://www.ansa.it/english/news/lifestyle/food_wine/2016/12/15/80-of-italians-to-eat-clams-on-xmas-eve_3f9b1a4b-4f67-4a61-a8f0-d6ffb38cad17.html

24/12/2024

Did you know that the two animals traditionally appearing in nativity scenes were never directly mentioned in the bible. In the Gospel of Luke, only the barn and a manger in which the newborn is placed is mentioned. The ox and donkey, however, became an indispensable part of pictorial representations of Jesus' birth from the time of early Christianity. They often appear in medieval frescoes and in church stained-glass windows. In this work by Cenni di Francesco, preserved at the Galleria dell’Accademia di Firenze, we see them painted inside the classic barn keeping an eye on the newborn child.
Nativity, Cenni by Francesco di Ser Cenni, 1395 ca. , Tempera on panel, detail.

24/12/2024

Almost ready...

24/12/2024

He's making a list
He's checking it twice
He's going to find out
Who's naughty and nice...
Santa Claus is coming to town!

23/12/2024

Art is everywhere in Florence...

23/12/2024

Florence's Central Market dressed for Christmas

23/12/2024

For info on what's on in Florence over Christmas...
Beside the Nativity scene outside the FlorenceCathedral, the Basilica of Santo Spirito at Piazza Santo Spirito hosts the Nativity scene by master Albino Todeschini each year. It is set up in front of the main door of the church. Admission to the church is free, but visitors are not allowed during prayer times. This is a perfect opportunity to admire the art in the Basilica (such as the Crucifix carved by Michelangelo) and explore the entire monumental complex.
The Rivoli Boutique Hotel (Via della Scala 33) offers a Nativity exhibition with free admission, featuring 30 different works created by craftsman Carlo Landurini from Fiumalbo. Furthermore, one of the most remarkable Nativity scenes can be found at the Don Orione Institute (Via Capo di Mondo, 34). The electro-mechanical Christmas Nativity scene is spread out over 50 meters (164 ft.) and includes moving characters, flowing water, a gleaming sunrise, and sounds of nature.

Highlights of the Christmas Week activities organized in Florence, including a concert, church services in English and nativity scenes

23/12/2024

An amazing nativity scene in sand in Rimini

23/12/2024

Have you seen this in the Uffizi?
Adoration of the Child with Saints by Filippo Lippi
Tempera on wood
It was commissioned by Lucrezia Tornabuoni for a cell in the hermitage of Camaldoli, built by her husband Piero de' Medici in 1463 and has been in the Uffizi since 1919.
This altarpiece was cleaned about ten years ago, allowing us to see the incredible detail of the lush forest scene in the background. The light pastel colours of her robes compliment the sweetness of the Madonna’s face, making her a beacon of light emerging from the background.

23/12/2024

Florence is the home of Renaissance nativity scenes...
Here is Fra Angelico's Nativity Fresco in San Marco (cell #5)

22/12/2024

Christmas is a magical time to visit Venice...
Even if you're not lucky enough to witness snow falling on the canals and gondolas, Venetians know how to ward off the chill with hot spiced wine and other holiday treats, sold in the Christmas markets. No matter your age, you're bound to be charmed by the figure of Father Christmas arriving by gondola to distribute goodies, and Christmas Eve mass held in St. Mark's Basilica is enough to make any trip to Venice worth it.
There are Christmas markets in different parts of Venice, but the main one is in the Campo San Stefano. It runs from early December through Christmas Eve, and you can enjoy music performances, shopping for Italian crafts, and indulging in seasonal food treats. There’s hot spiced wine for the grown-ups and sweets for the kids, souvenirs and ornaments to buy, and when Santa Claus makes an apperance he’s often accompanied by people dressed in their Carnevale finery.
Venice is a very musical city, and there are often free (or inexpensive) concerts going on throughout the city during the holidays. Many of these are in churches and historic palazzos, and if you really want to splurge on a special musical experience at Christmas then consult the schedule at La Fenice – Venice’s famous opera house. Check with the tourist information office when you arrive to see what’s playing while you’re in the city, and inquire about how to get tickets.
In a city like Venice, it’s only natural that Santa Claus arrives by water. Babbo Natale (Father Christmas) brings candy to children on a gondola near the Rialto Bridge, usually a couple days before Christmas. Even if you’re not traveling with your kids, seeing Santa step out of a gondola in Venice will make anyone smile with childlike delight.
On Christmas Eve, you can attend the mass at St. Mark’s Basilica (it’s free, but get there early for a seat), and on the day after Christmas there’s usually a free concert at the Frari Church in San Polo in the afternoon. There are concerts held in churches throughout the city during the Christmas season, some of which are free, so keep an eye out for posters advertising performances – or just wander and follow the music.
Keep in mind that many restaurants and hotels do close in the winter, so do your homework beforehand to find out what will be open.
viator.com

22/12/2024

Where in Florence would you go to find these lovely Christmas gift ideas?

22/12/2024

Got yours yet?

22/12/2024

This time of year it's fun to hunt for presepe in Florence, especially if you have children...
This one is in the Chiesa di San Michele in via dei Servi. You know it's in there because of the star on the door!
Presepe translates as ‘manger’ but is more commonly known as Nativity scene. They were popularized by St. Francis of Assisi in 1223, who set up the first animal filled presepe in Greccio, Italy. By the 18th century, the presepe had gained widespread popularity and the tradition was adopted by bigger cities like Naples and Rome. Made mostly of terracotta or wood, many historic presepi have been destroyed over time. Some noteworthy examples still exist, however, like Arnolfo di Cambio’s marble presepe that stands in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome.