Christmas in San Marino can not only be seen but also felt. A unique fragrance wafts through its winding streets. What to taste?

How are Christmas holidays celebrated in the oldest republic in the world?

The medieval streets are illuminated by thousands of lights that create a starry sky above your head.

From small shops and stalls waft the aroma of typical delicacies, from hot chocolate to cheeses and truffles to bombardino and traditional sweets.

The Christmas charm is enhanced by the evocative beauty of the medieval town, which is located on Mount Titano.

Where can you find the most beautiful nativity scene?

What must not be missing on the Christmas table?

Come and discover together the unique magic of Christmas in San Marino.

When is Christmas celebrated in San Marino?

The Christmas season in San Marino traditionally runs from December 8th, the day of the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary, to Epiphany on January 6th. The most important day is December 25, il giorno di Natale in Italian. Happy Christmas is called Buon Natale.

Do you know the San Marino Christmas traditions?

Since San Marino is a Catholic country, nativity scenes play a significant role. In addition to the fact that you can find them in almost every family, they are also in many places in the historic center. One of the most famous can be admired in the crypt of St. Peter’s Church in Domus Plebis Square.

On December 8, the Christmas tree, another important decoration without which the holidays are indispensable, is also decorated.

At midnight on Christmas Day, many families attend midnight mass in churches in the city’s historic center.

Who brings the children’s presents?

San Marin children are impatiently waiting for Babbo Natale, i.e., Father Christmas. He usually leaves gifts for them under the tree on the night of December 24th, and the gifts are unwrapped on the morning of December 25.

However, gifts from him are not the only things that await them as in Italy; good children are also visited by the witch Befana on the night between January 5 and 6, who presents them mainly with sweets. Children prepare a unique stocking for them before going to bed.

What to eat in San Marino at Christmas?

Although Christmas in San Marino is not officially celebrated until December 25th, many families gather for dinner as early as Christmas Eve. Due to the ongoing fast, the Christmas Eve dinner is meatless, with a variety of fish and seafood dishes as the main component.

On Christmas Eve, a big family lunch often lasts the whole afternoon. One of the typical courses is “cappelletti in brodo,” a type of stuffed pasta cooked in broth. Another typical pasta is strozzapreti, a homemade long-shaped pasta usually served with ragout.

The iconic San Marino desserts, not only during the Christmas holidays, include Torta Titano, named after the mountain on which the city of San Marino is located. This specialty comprises five large round wafers made of almonds, peanuts, eggs, and honey, with cocoa and hazelnut cream in between. Of course, the traditional panettone and pandoro must not be missing either.

How to prepare homemade “strozzapreti al ragu”?

Water and flour are the only two ingredients needed to make strozzapreti: fresh eggless pasta with a rustic taste. Folk legend derives their peculiar name from when the ecclesiastical state ruled central Italy and imposed high taxes on the poor. This pasta was thus a manifestation of protest at a time when people had to make do with little.

Ingredients:

Pasta

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cup of lukewarm water
• pinch of salt

Ragout

• 7 oz of minced pork
• 1/2 cup of bacon
• 1/4 cup of butter
• 1 1/2 cup milk
• 1/2 cup of tomato puree
• 1 carrot
• 1 onion
• 1/2 celery
• 1/2 cup of red wine
• 1 teaspoon of sugar
• salt and pepper to taste
• Parmesan to taste

Method:

Pasta

1. Pour flour onto the roll and make a well.
2. Add a pinch of salt and lukewarm water while stirring with a fork.
3. After soaking in the water, knead until you get a smooth and homogeneous dough.
4. Let the dough rest at room temperature, covered with cling film or a tea towel, for at least 30 minutes.
5. After this time, roll out the dough with a rolling pin to a thickness of about 1 1/16 inches.
6. Cut the rolled dough into strips about 0.5 inches long.
7. Take one strip at a time and use your palms to turn them into rolls about 4 inches long.
8. Let it dry; in the meantime, prepare the ragout.

Ragout

1. Peel, wash and chop the celery, carrot, and onion.
2. Also, cut the bacon into cubes and fry it with the vegetables in a pot of butter.
3. Add the minced meat, salt, and pepper and leave it on high heat for a few minutes.
4. Then, add the wine and let it evaporate.
5. Add the tomato puree and one teaspoon of sugar.
6. Stir and cook over low heat for two hours, gradually adding milk and a little hot water if necessary.
7. Cook the Strozzapreti in plenty of boiling salted water for approximately 6-7 minutes, depending on their size.
8. Drain, mix with meat sauce, and sprinkle with grated parmesan to taste.

What places to visit in San Marino at Christmas?

Due to its location and shape, San Marino has a unique atmosphere all year round, but at Christmas, this small, historic country is even more beautiful and magical. Why is it worth experiencing Christmas in San Marino?

The capital of San Marino is San Marino, whose historic center hosts a special Natale delle Meraviglie, or Christmas of Wonders event, from the end of November to the beginning of January.

It includes not only the very rich Christmas lighting of the streets and historic buildings but also various musical and theatrical performances, ice skating on small ice rinks, and, of course, Christmas markets with a wide range of typical products and snacks.