FEASTS, FESTIVALS & HOLIDAYS
La Befana
| January | February | March | April | |||
| May | June | July | August | |||
| September | October | November | December | |||
| Festa della Donna | La Befana | |||||
CELEBRATION OF ARRIVAL OF LA BEFANA IN CITTA DI CASTELLO - January 6th
Each year on January 6, Italian children awaken in hopes that La Befana has made a visit to their house. This is a significant day to Italians because it marks the end of the Christmas season and the day that the three Wise Men arrived at the manger of the Christ child. Over the years, the Epiphany has become a more celebrated holiday for Italian children, than even Christmas. La Befana brings all the good children toys and candy and the bad children pieces of coal - although, the pieces of coal are candy, too. Because, as we all know, in Italy there are no bad children.
In Cittą di Castello, the Epifany Hag of descends from the town's bell tower (Piazza Gabriotti by Duomo) with her load of presents and sweets for all children. Approximately 1000 children and parents attend this event; so if you plan to go, arrive EARLY! As with many festivals in Cittą di Castello, the streets are packed with people and it is impossible to move around from midway on Corso Cavour down to the Duomo and Piazza Gabriotti. The best place to park is Parcheggio Ferri off Viale Nazario Sauro. Go up the escalator and through the newly redesigned park. You'll land directly in the middle of the acitivities.
La Befana is one of the oldest and most celebrated legends in Italy. It is said that Befana was an old lady who spent her days cleaning and scrubbing her house. One day, the three wise men who were on their way to visit baby Jesus stopped to rest with La Befana. Before they left they invited her to come with them and meet the infant king. La Befana refused. She wanted to clean her house and felt she had wasted enough time as it was. After having thought the matter over, she realized what a glorious opportunity she'd missed-so she ran after the three wise men, broom in hand and apron still around her waist, to go with them. It is said that she is still running but time has changed her errand. Now, she runs over the roofs in Italy bringing gifts to all the children every year on the 6th of January.
Many people feel The Befana is too scary for smaller children because she is basically a witch - big nose, wrinkled face and a scarf covering her hair. Smaller children really can't distinguish the difference between a good witch and a scary witch, they just see this horrible looking creature and cry.
For more information on this year's arrival of La Befana, call the Cittą di Castello Tourist Information office at: 075 855 4922.