Percorso:ANSA > Nuova Europa > Analysis > Tourism: Villacher Advent, the magic of Carinthian Christmas

Tourism: Villacher Advent, the magic of Carinthian Christmas

Markets, skiing and spas, near Italian border

10 December, 13:10

(ANSA) - UDINE, DEC 9 - Thousands of yellow lights cover the bell tower of the Cathedral turning it into a 'big candle', whereas the white lights of the ice rink set up in the town hall square create the illusion of a heavy snowfall. Among the stalls of the Christmas markets, you can smell the aromas of cinnamon and Gluhwein, the mulled wine, that warm the cold winter afternoons.

In the period of Advent, the Christmas atmosphere pervades the center of Villach - a city of 62,000 inhabitants, south of Carinthia, a few kilometers from the border with Italy in Tarvisio (Udine) and from Slovenia - transforming it into the ''illuminated city''.

The Christmas market is set up in the town centre with about 50 stalls divided into three parts: traditional, with typical Christmas products, food and wine, and crafts, with the works of local artisans. Another Christmas market is also located in the square of the Atrio Villach shopping center, attended by 250,000 Italian customers each year. Villacher Advent, open until Christmas Eve, has also a programme full of events with concerts, cruises on the river Drau at sunset and exhibitions of navitities.

TRADITIONS - The most picturesque tradition is the parade of the Krampus and Perchten masks, mythological figures typical of the traditions of the peoples of the Alpine area belonging to German culture. The Krampus, devils of Christmas, half men and half goats, with their faces covered with scary masks, roam loudly through the squares with bells and whips. Then comes St.

Nicholas who tames them and brings gifts to good children. Very similar are the figures of the Perchten, masks that in ancient pagan traditions used to parade between late December and early January. The main event in the area takes place in Villach, with over 400 participants from all areas of Alpe Adria.

The Advent wreaths, with 4 candles to be lit on Sundays before Christmas; the 'Kletzenbrot', a sweet rye bread and Carinthian tortelli are the traditional products you can learn to prepare in special workshops held in the small village of Arriach. SKI AND EXCURSIONS - In December the ski season on the Alpe Gerlitzen opens (on December 1), a ski arena with 44 kilometers of slopes for different levels of difficulty. The Dreilaendereck, ''Mount of the three borders'' in the Karawanken mountains, offers another 17 kilometers of slopes. In the Dobratsch Mountain, today a Natural Park, the only form of tourism allowed is the eco-friendly excursion with snowshoes and hiking. SPA - Well-known spa resort since the times of Celts and Romans, Warmbad-Villach has a pool which is unique in Europe, the Urquelle Becken pool, located inside the hotel Warmbaderhof but also open to other visitors, where the water flows at 29 degrees directly from the thermal spring, on a floor covered with stones. The water in the pool is completely and naturally renewed every 3 hours. Only a few hundred meters away, immersed in a wood, you cand find the Roman Quelle spring, where you can see the crystal clear water gushing between the rocks and you can immerse yourself in spite of tharsh winter temperatures.

(ANSA).

© Copyright ANSA - All rights reserved