The Feast of the Epiphany is a national holiday in Italy. It’s the commemoration of the day the three wise men are said to have arrived at the manger in Bethlehem bringing with them their gifts for the baby Jesus. The observance of the Epiphany is cause for huge celebrations throughout the land; a time for family gatherings and the preparation of specialty dishes and desserts. The Feast of the Epiphany is celebrated on the twelfth day of Christmas which falls on January 6, so celebrate the occasion with an fine dining Orlando experience!
In the Vatican, hundreds of people dress in medieval garb and process through St. Peter’s square to present symbolic gifts to the Pope. The morning mass is offered by the Pope to commemorate the arrival of the three kings and the crèche is adorned with the addition of the wise men. This is a day of solemnity followed by great joy and feasting.
In many large cities and even in smaller towns throughout the country there are parades and pageantry devoted to celebrating the arrival of the three kings, which is also known as Little Christmas. The wise men are added with great reverence to Nativity scenes. Families gather together to enjoy a feast prepared with traditional Italian fare but we will come back to the food in a minute.
Another big part of the Epiphany in Italy is the anticipated arrival of La Befana (the witch). Legend has it that the wise men stopped at the abode of a very old woman to seek directions to Bethlehem the night before they arrived at the manger to bestow their gifts upon the babe. She was invited to journey with them but she declined. They moved on without her. A shepherd later asked her for the same directions and invited her to accompany him; once again she declined to travel. A bright light appeared in the sky and that was the impetus she needed to travel to the manger with gifts for the newborn babe. She got lost however, and never found her way. The story continues that on the night before the Epiphany she travels on her broomstick from home to home still trying to locate the Christ child to give him her gifts. Children leave stockings out in hopes that she will leave gifts behind for them. Good children will receive presents and naughty children receive a rock or a lump of coal.
The feasting for the Epiphany varies regionally but suffice it to say that the food everywhere is prepared with the highest quality ingredients and is abundant and flavorful. Luckily, you don’t have to wait until the Epiphany to enjoy such a delicious and special meal. Come to our fine dining Orlando restaurant and delight in an authentic Northern Italian feast!