THE UNIQUENESS OF CHRISTMAS

Following the Catholic and popular tradition these are days dedicated to prepare Crib and to decorate Christmas tree. This is the best period to get fascinated from a decorative art which is set in the middle of Bellagio: glass blowing.

Bellagio is famous in all over the world because of local produced Christmas tree glass decorations hand blown by local artisans. These items are requested especially by foreign markets.
This tradition started at the end of 40’s after the II World War when the German manufacturer Karl Becker moves on Como Lake where he opens a company,called Florida, which made artificial Christmas trees and garlands. In the same period the localglass-blowers company were in difficulty, so the artisans adapted their skills to supply Mr Becker with blown glasses ornaments.

The success arrives during the 50es: thousands of these creations were imported to North America and sold as unique masterpieces in luxury souvenir shops and in exclusive department stores. The first subjects were Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, Peter Pan figural and Sputnik satellite.
Curiosity: for the second year the Italian stylists Dolce&Gabbana have designed the Hotel Claridge’s Christmas tree with three hundred blown glasses that came from Bellagio painted with world flags.
Since the 40es until today the production grew up and glass blowers have improved their skills.

We invite you to stroll through the hamlets of Bellagio during the Christmas Season to discover these unique pieces and their secrets, and why not in their laboratories!