Celebrating with the Romans at Christmas; Roman Marvels in the Winter
Mirabilia Urbis Romae (“Marvels of the City of Rome”) is a celebrated medieval Latin text used for centuries by pilgrims and tourists as their guide to Rome.
In 2023, 35 million visitors came to Rome, a record. Until early November, hotels were overflowing, crowds streaming around the Colosseum and Vatican and Pantheon.
The sheer number of tourists made it often impossible to enjoy the Mirabilia, and to find the serenity to make sense of one of the most interesting cities in the world.
But for the last seven weeks, and until the end of March, Rome is again a Mirabilia, and all of us who are not there to enjoy it have made a big mistake.
And there is no time when it is nicer, or the Mirablilia more apparent, than Christmas, which in Rome and Italy is strictly a family holiday. The skies are mostly that Roman cerulean blue, and the sun shines most days. Holiday lights are tasteful and not overdone.
Food stores, pastry shops and markets go to special effort to display wonderful holiday delicacies.
Traditions are chiseled deeply by the season. The buying of the fish for Christmas Eve.
The purchasing of the panettone and the artichokes and the puntarelle.
The eating of the tortellini in brodo for Christmas lunch. The looking forward to New Year’s Eve when you will cook or eat the lentils, an unbreakable custom that is ancient Roman or older, and that guarantees prosperity in the future year.
Enjoy my holiday time photos of Mirabilia Rome !
And know that when we plan your trip, as ever with our hallmark exceptional detailing, for anytime between now and mid March, the Rome that awaits you will be uncrowded, and just as easy to appreciate. Or next November and into December. Mark your calendars… and come and share the Mirablilia with me.
Additionally, consider holiday-time travel here next year. You will discover, in the words of one of our repeat clients : “quiet, reflection, beauty, companionship and freedom from the need to buy; Rome is pure magic at Christmas.”
Auguri from Rome,
Marjorie and Insider’s Italy