Mount Ingino Christmas Tree
{{Short description|Annual lighting illumination in Gubbio, Umbria, Italy}}
File:Sapin Noel Geant Gubbio 2014.jpg
The Mount Ingino Christmas Tree is a lighting illumination in the shape of a Christmas tree that is installed annually on the slopes of Mount Ingino (Monte Ingino in Italian) outside the city of Gubbio, in the Umbria region in Italy. The tree is also called the Gubbio Christmas Tree or the biggest Christmas tree in the world.{{cite news | title =The biggest Christmas tree in the world| publisher = onlysuper | date =12 December 2009 | url = http://www.onlysuper.com/index.php/tag/gubbio/| accessdate = 2010-01-07}}{{cite news | title = The best, worst, weirdest and tallest Christmas trees in the world | publisher = telegraph.co.uk | date = 9 December 2009| url = https://www.telegraph.co.uk/topics/christmas/6769638/The-best-worst-weirdest-and-tallest-Christmas-trees-in-the-world.html?image=9 | accessdate = 2010-01-07 | location=London}} In 1991 the Guinness Book of Records named it "The World's Largest Christmas Tree".{{cite news | title =Commemoration of popular traditions Gubbio| publisher =bella umbria| url =http://www.bellaumbria.net/en/gubbio-christmas-tree-the-biggest-christmas-tree-in-the-world/| accessdate = 2009-12-23}}
History
The tree is {{convert|650|m|ft}} high and 350 m wide at its base and consists of 3000 multi-coloured lights and 8.5 kilometres of electrical cable, placed all the way up the slopes of Monte Ingino, which towers above the city. The illumination can be seen up to 50 kilometres (30 miles) away.[http://insidethegate.com/2013/12/italiarail-presents-the-12-ways-of-christmas-in-italy/ ItaliaRail Presents the 12 Ways of Christmas in Italy.] InsideTheGate.com December 2013. Retrieved 1 May 2014
This tradition started when the people of Gubbio decided to celebrate Christmas in a different way and in 1981 the first tree was illuminated. Each year, on the eve of the feast of the Immaculate Conception (December 7), the Christmas tree is lit up.[http://news.howzit.msn.com/news-in-pics/weird-news-of-the-week-december-20-1?page=4 The World’s Largest Christmas Tree.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140502002214/http://news.howzit.msn.com/news-in-pics/weird-news-of-the-week-december-20-1?page=4 |date=2014-05-02 }} Weird News of the Week. MSN. December 2013. Retrieved 1 May 2014 Since then the tradition is repeated annually thanks to a special committee consisting of volunteers giving up their free time for about three months every year. {{citation needed|date=May 2014}}
Since 2010 electricity for the Christmas tree lights has been generated by the photovoltaic system.[http://www.bellaumbria.net/en/gubbio-christmas-tree-the-biggest-christmas-tree-in-the-world/ Gubbio Christmas Tree, the biggest Christmas Tree in the World] Bella Umbria. Retrieved 1 May 2014
In 2011 the lights were switched on remotely by Pope Benedict XVI using a tablet computer.[http://www.tomsguide.com/us/Pope-Christmas-Tree-Lights-Sony-Tablet-S,news-13441.html Pope Used Android to Light 750- meter Christmas Tree] Jane McEntegart. Tom's Guide. December 2011. Retrieved 1 May 2014 The Pope spoke via video link to the people of Gubbio from his papal apartment in Vatican.{{cite news | title =Pope Benedict shares his three Christmas wishes| work = David Kerr| publisher =CNA Catholic News Agency | date =Dec 9, 2011 | url = https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/23940/pope-benedict-shares-his-three-christmas-wishes| access-date = 16 December 2011}}
In 2013, the holiday display used 1,000 lights{{citation needed|date=October 2019}} and stretched more than 1,000 square meters or 10,760 square feet.[http://www.cntraveler.com/daily-traveler/2012/12/photos-unique-christmas-trees-decorations-lights-new-york-tokyo-lisbon_slideshow_item2_3 The Most Unusual Christmas Trees] CNT Traveler. December 2012. Retrieved 1 May 2014
In 2013, Don Francesco Soddu, Director of Italian CARITAS led the lighting ceremony.[http://news.buzzbuzzhome.com/2013/12/christmas-displays.html ‘Tis the season to be gaudy: Top 7 over-the-top Christmas displays.] BuzzBuzzHome.com Michael Aynsley. December 2013. Retrieved 1 May 2014 This was a tribute to the contribution of volunteers in times of emergency in Italian communities.
In 2014 the lights were switched on remotely by Pope Francis using a tablet computer.{{cite web |url =http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2014/12/07/pope_francis_uses_tablet_to_illuminate_gubbio_christmas_tree/1113925|title =Pope Francis uses tablet to illuminate Gubbio Christmas tree|date =7 December 2014 |publisher =Vatican Radio|accessdate =12 December 2014}}
In 2017 the lights were switched on remotely by Italian astronaut Paolo Nespoli while he was in the International Space Station.{{cite news |title=Gubbio, l’astronauta Paolo Nespoli accenderà l’Albero di Natale più grande del mondo |url=https://www.umbria24.it/attualita/gubbio-lastronauta-paolo-nespoli-accendera-lalbero-natale-piu-grande-del-mondo/ |access-date=2 December 2024 |publisher=umbria24 |date=4 November 2017}}
See also
References
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External links
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20110707103347/http://www.alberodigubbio.com/Index.aspx?idmenu=2288 Official page of the Largest Christmas Tree in the World Committee]
- [http://www.montereano.it view on the Christmas Tree for photographers]
- [http://www.italiansrus.com/articles/christmastree.htm Lighting of the Christmas Tree]
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Category:Individual Christmas trees
Category:Buildings and structures in Gubbio
Category:1981 establishments in Italy