On the occasion of Christmas 2024, FAI invites you to experience the magic of this time of year in its properties open to the public, special places that testify to the extraordinary wealth and variety of culture and landscape that Italy expresses.

The festive days, spent together with the people closest to us, are an excellent opportunity to visit FAI properties throughout Italy*, decorated and decked out for the Christmas holidays, and discover the many stories and wonders they hold, as well as to spend quality leisure time thanks to the numerous themed initiatives that will be organised for adults and children: castles, abbeys, historic parks, nature areas, villas and stately homes will open their doors and surprise visitors with artistic nativity scene displays, markets selling handicrafts and gastronomic delicacies, meetings focusing on ancient traditions, creative workshops, concerts, tastings, special visits and much more.

CHRISTMAS IN FAI PROPERTIES
More than 40 events are scheduled until Monday 6 January 2025, involving 22 FAI properties, from Trentino to Sicily, and can provide precious moments of serenity and cultural enrichment, to be shared with family and friends. From the market within the walls of the Castello di Avio in Sabbionara d’Avio (TN), where you can buy Trentino and Veneto products and specialities, to the traditional Christmas Eve Mass at the Abbazia di San Fruttuoso in Camogli (GE); from the Medieval calligraphy workshop at the Abbazia of Santa Maria di Cerrate in Lecce, to learn how to write a greetings card in Carolingian Minuscule font, to the herbal workshop at the Orto sul Colle dell’Infinito in Recanati (MC), which involves making an impromptu liqueur, to the creation of an original garland with berries, branches and flowers at the Monastero di Torba in Gornate Olona (VA).

CONCERTS AND TRADITIONS
Music will also play a leading role: at the Bosco di San Francesco in Assisi (PG) and at Saline Conti Vecchi in Assemini (CA) special concerts with tastings will be organised; at the Orto sul Colle dell’Infinito gospel songs and Christmas carols will be performed, while the strine, ritual begging songs performed in griko and dialect at Christmas time, will once again fill the Abbazia di Santa Maria di Cerrate with music and words. And again, one can take a journey through Christmas customs at the Castello di Masino in Caravino (TO), where one can learn about the customs of the Valperga family during the festive season, at the Castello della Manta in Manta (CN), where the most widespread traditions and practices linked to the Christmas symbols will be discussed, and at Villa Della Porta Bozzolo in Casalzuigno (VA) and Casa Carbone in Lavagna (GE), where visits focusing on the art of setting the table and bon ton will be offered.

FOR FAMILIES
Finally, there are many fun opportunities for children and their families, such as the workshops organised by craftsmen from the Canavese area offered at the Castello di Masino, dedicated to candle making and wood carving, a special event at Palazzo Moroni in Bergamo in anticipation of Santa Lucia, a cookery workshop in which to make tasty biscuits at the Bosco di San Francesco, an event centred on the Befana stocking – yesterday’s and today’s – at the Abbazia di Cerrate, a cheerful puppet workshop at Casa Carbone and a show/play staged through the use of images and words at the Orto sul Colle dell’Infinito.

SHOPS IN FAI PROPERTIES
Visitors will also be able to browse through the FAI Shops* and get inspired for Christmas shopping. Among the gift proposals will be a careful selection of books, gastronomic products made with the raw materials from the Foundation’s properties, such as the jams of ancient citrus fruits from the Giardino della Kolymbethra, extra virgin olive oil from the centuries-old olive trees of the Baia di Ieranto and the rock salt from Saline Conti Vecchi.

FAI and FAI UK members will have the opportunity to enjoy a 10% discount on all products on sale.