Gubbio, a medieval town in the region of Umbria, famed for its Roman ruins and historic aqueduct, about two-and-a-half hours’ drive from both Rome and Florence, holds the distinction of having the largest Christmas tree in the world. It was first inaugurated in 1981, and it’s a tree of colored lights spread over the slopes of Monte Ingino. The roots sink into the walls of the village, while the star is at the top where the Basilica of Sant’Ubaldo, patron saint of Gubbio, is located. It can be seen from up to 30 miles away.
With a base of 450 meters and a height of 750 meters, the Christmas tree of Gubbio entered the Guinness Book of Records as the largest Christmas tree in the world. Its lights of various kinds make a very special, unique color effect: over 250 green lights outline the shape of a Christmas tree, over 650 meters height, with over 300 multicolored lights scattered in the central body and at the top a star about 1,000 square meters wide, made over 200 points of light.
The lighting of the Tree takes place every year on December 7th at 6. and30 pm from Piazza Gramsci. Every year an important guest is invited to turn on the lights: in 2014 the lights of the tree were lit by Pope Francis.
During the same period, a district of Gubbio comes alive with “Le Vie del Presepe”: a nativity scene with life-size wooden statues that surround the hut of the Nativity.
It may or may not be to your taste, but Gubbio’s tree is certainly spectacular it’s worth seeing with your own eyes. If you’d like to visit, the tree lights will be on from December 7, 2022, to January 12, 2023.
