Mount Ingino Christmas Tree facts for kids
The Mount Ingino Christmas Tree is a giant light display. It looks like a Christmas tree. This amazing sight is set up every year on the slopes of Mount Ingino. This mountain is near the city of Gubbio in Italy. People also call it the Gubbio Christmas Tree. It's even known as "the biggest Christmas tree in the world"! In 1991, the Guinness World Records officially named it "The World's Largest Christmas Tree".
History of the World's Largest Christmas Tree
This incredible tree is about 650 meters (2,130 feet) tall. It is also 350 meters (1,150 feet) wide at its base. The tree is made from 3,000 colorful lights. It uses 8.5 kilometers (5.3 miles) of electrical cable. All these lights and cables are placed carefully up the side of Mount Ingino. This mountain stands tall above the city. You can see the tree's bright glow from up to 50 kilometers (30 miles) away!
This special tradition began in 1981. The people of Gubbio wanted to celebrate Christmas in a unique way. So, they lit up the first tree that year. Every year since then, the Christmas tree is lit up on December 7th. This is the day before the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. A special group of volunteers makes this happen. They give their free time for about three months each year.
Since 2010, the electricity for the tree's lights comes from a photovoltaic system. This means it uses energy from the sun!
In 2011, a very important person switched on the lights. Pope Benedict XVI turned them on remotely. He used a tablet computer from his home in the Vatican. The Pope spoke to the people of Gubbio through a video call.
In 2014, Pope Francis also switched on the lights remotely. He used a tablet computer just like Pope Benedict XVI.
See also
- Basilica of Sant'Ubaldo, Gubbio
