December 26th, the day after Christmas, invites us to slow down and prolong the festive atmosphere. It’s a special day in many European countries—from Italy to Austria, from Germany to Ireland, and even Croatia, Romania, and the Balkans—and in Italy it’s been recognized as a holiday since 1949. It’s a perfect opportunity to indulge in a break, perhaps with a spa break, winter walks in the Euganean Hills, and cultural discoveries.
In the Anglo-Saxon world, December 26th is known as Boxing Day, a celebration born from an ancient tradition of generosity: after Christmas, the alms boxes placed outside churches were opened to distribute gifts and aid to those most in need. A gesture that evokes the true spirit of the holidays.
Christian tradition dedicates this day to Saint Stephen, the first martyr of Christianity, a luminous figure recounted in the Acts of the Apostles. He lived in Jerusalem and was one of the seven deacons chosen by the apostles to support the spread of the Gospel. He is described as a man “full of faith and the Holy Spirit.” His name, of Greek origin, means “crown,” a symbol of victory and faith. He is the patron saint of deacons and bakers, and is traditionally invoked against headaches; his symbols are the palm and stones.
Just a few kilometers from the AbanoRitz, in the heart of Padua, the Scrovegni Chapel, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, houses one of the world’s most famous pictorial cycles: among Giotto’s frescoes, the scene of the Stoning of Saint Stephen is striking for its intensity and expressive power, offering a moment of authentic artistic emotion.
