Vatican Christmas Tree | Christmas at Vatican 2023
Being the seat of the Roman Catholic Church, it should come as no surprise that the Vatican pulls out all the stops for Christmas. Christmas is a magical 21-day affair in Vatican city and well, no Christmas celebration is complete without a Christmas Tree.
Christmas Tree at the Vatican
The Christmas tree is installed in the center of Saint Peter's Square, along with a life-size nativity scene.
Christmas Tree 2022
The Vatican Christmas tree, unveiled on 3 December 2022, is a majestic 30-meter White Fir tree. It comes from the mountain village of Rosello, in the central Italian region of Abruzzo. Rosello is an ancient village that is home to only 182 inhabitants. In this medieval village, you will find the best-preserved nucleus of White Fir trees on Italian territory, including the tallest self-seeded tree: a Silver Fir measuring almost 54 meters in height.
The White Fir Tree that will adorn the Vatican this year has been decorated using ornaments that were handcrafted by young people residing at the La Quadrifoglio psychiatric rehabilitation facility along with elderly patients from the Sant'Antonio care center in Borrello, Italy, and schoolchildren from Pizzoferrato, Quadri, and Villa Santa Maria.
Brief History of The Christmas Tree Tradition at the Vatican
Also dubbed the St. Peter's Square Christmas Tree, the Vatican Christmas Tree refers to the tree that is decorated and erected at St. Peter's Square as part of the Christmas celebrations.
The tradition of placing a Christmas Tree and the Nativity Scene at the Vatican started in 1982, during the pontification of Pope John Paul II.
The first-ever Christmas Tree came from Italy and since then, every year, a tree is donated by a different European country or region.
Christmas at the Vatican
Christmas celebrations at the Vatican start on December 8th and ends on January 6th. The unveiling of the Christmas tree at the annual Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony held in St. Peter’s Square kicks off the festive season in the Vatican.
Even though most of the iconic attractions of Vatican City such as the Vatican Museums are closed on December 25 and 26, the Christmas season draws a large number of visitors. The Vatican Christmas Eve mass is the most-watched Christmas mass in the world and you have to book tickets to attend the mass at least 2 months in advance.
Celebrating Christmas at VaticanPast Christmas Trees at Vatican
Over the past 39 years, the Vatican has seen many kinds of trees from different parts of Europe. Take a look at where the past Christmas Trees at Vatican have come from.
YEAR
SPECIES
HEIGHT
PLACE OF ORIGIN
2021
Picea abies
28 meters (92 ft.)
Andalo, Italy
2020
Spruce
30 meters (98 ft.)
Kočevje, Slovenia
2019
Spruce
26 meters (85 ft.)
Veneto, Italy
2018
Spruce
23 meters (75 ft.)
Pordenone, Italy
2017
Spruce
21 meters (69 ft.)
Gołdap, Poland
2016
Spruce
25 meters (82 ft.)
Trento, Italy
2015
Spruce
25 meters (82 ft.)
Ehenfeld bei Hirschau, Oberpfalz, Bavaria, Germany
2014
Fir
25 meters (82 ft.)
Calabria, Southern Italy
2013
Fir
25 meters (82 ft.)
Waldmünchen, Bavaria, Germany
2012
Silver Fir
30 meters (98 ft.)
Pescopennataro, Italy
2011
Spruce
30 meters (98 ft.)
Zakarpattia Oblast, Ukraine
2010
Spruce
33.5 meters (110 ft.)
Bolzano, South Tyrol, northern Italy
2009
Norway Spruce
30 meters (98 ft.)
Ardennes forests near Spa, Wallonia, Belgium
2008
Norway spruce
33 meters (108 ft.)
Municipality of Gutenstein, Lower Austria, Austria
2007
Fir
30 meters (98 ft.)
Val Badia, in the Dolomites mountains, Italy
2006
Fir
33.5 meters (110 ft.)
Taverna, Calabria, Italy
2005
Fir
33 meters (108 ft.)
Afiesl, Upper Austria, Austria
2004
Fir
32.5 meters (107 ft.)
Pinzolo, Trento region, Alps mountains, Italy
2003
Spruce
32 meters (105 ft.)
Pré-Saint-Didier, Valle D’Aosta, Italy
2002
Fir
28 meters (92 ft.)
Gorski kotar, Croatia
2001
Transylvania, Romania
2000
Carinthia, Austria
1999
Moravka, Czech Republic
1998
Schwarzwald, Germany
1997
Zakopane, Tatra Mountains, Poland
1996
Kočevje, Slovenia
1995
Obertraubling, Regensburg, Germany
1994
Žilina, Slovakia
1993
Graz-Seckau, Styria, Austria
1992
South Tyrol, Italy
1991
Vorarlberg, Austria
1990
Ponte di Legno, Brescia, Italy
1989
Schärding, Upper Austria, Austria
1988
Cadore, Italy
1987
Carinthia, Austria
1986
Toblach, South Tyrol
1985
South Tyrol, Italy
1984
Waldmünchen, Bavaria, Germany
1983
Tyrol, Austria
1982
Fir
Alban Hills, Italy
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All Your Questions About Christmas Trees at Vatican Answered
A. Every year a tree is donated to the Vatican by a different region in Europe. Unveiling of the Vatican Christmas Tree, or the Saint Peter's Square Christmas Tree, kickstarts the Christmas celebrations at Vatican.
A. You can explore the beautiful country, its artsy streets, the picturesque Christmas tree and nativity scene, pretty markets and of course, experience the popular Christmas Mass from Peter's Square.
A. The first Christmas tree was erected in Saint Peter's Square in 1982, under the pontificate of Pope John Paul II.
A. This year's Christmas tree is a 30-meter White Fir tree that comes from the mountain village of Rosello, in Abruzzo. The tree was decorated by people residing at the La Quadrifoglio psychiatric rehabilitation facility, elderly patients from the Sant'Antonio care center in Borrello, Italy, and schoolchildren from Pizzoferrato, Quadri, and Villa Santa Maria.
A. Most landmarks, including the Vatican museum, and the Sistine chapel, are closed during Christmas time i.e. 25-26 December. However, the Vatican City is open during this time, and you can partake in the festivities of the holiday season, by viewing the Christmas tree, the nativity scene and even attending the mass at St. Peter's Basilica.
A. While most iconic landmarks remain shut during the Christmas season, you can explore the St. Peter’s Basilica and the St. Peter's Square during the Christmas.
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