Conosciuto come l’largest Christmas tree in the world, the one in Gubbio is a real setup that consists of over 500 lights.
Entered in the Guinness World Records in 1991, the Gubbio Christmas Tree stretches along 650 meters on Monte Igino, from its foothills up to the summit. Shaped in green light, it is topped by a truly large star with a surface of 1000 sqm. Every year the tree caretakers, i.e., the volunteers who take care of properly arranging all the electric cables and lights, prepare this exceptional installation to illuminate the Christmas of the people of Gubbio and for all the tourists who arrive every year in thousands to witness the lighting of the Gubbio Christmas Tree.
The event is always highly anticipated and takes place, as per established tradition, on the same day every year: December 7th, the eve of the Immaculate Conception. A personality, chosen each year, is honored by pressing the button that, at 7 pm, initiates the dazzling illumination of the Christmas Tree.
The sight, already strong from kilometers away, is not only about Gubbio being known as the town of the largest Christmas tree in the world but also for the nativity scenes, another form of art of the people of Gubbio but above all a tangible sign of devotion to Saint Francis. The Saint, in fact, took refuge precisely in Gubbio where he performed several miracles and tamed a wolf.
The nativity scene in the San Martino district is very special because it consists of life-sized statues placed along various streets in this part of Gubbio; there is also the permanent nativity scene of the Church of San’Agostino.
Far from being just a Christian symbol, the Gubbio Christmas Tree is to be considered also as an emblem of peace and of meeting with anyone who wants to discover Gubbio and its joyful traditions.
