Italian town unveils giant Christmas tree
247 views · Published 13 December 2018 · 2:54 · Indexed 28 September 2026
Channel: AP Archive · 2018 · Entertainment
(8 Dec 2018) ITALIAN TOWN UNVEILS GIANT CHRISTMAS TREE Lights on the Christmas tree, billed as the world's largest by the Guinness Book of Records, were turned on in the Italian town of Gubbio on Friday (7 DEC. 2018). Nearly 500 lights outline the shape of a Christmas tree on the slopes of the Ingino hill, which rises behind the medieval town in central Italy. The record-breaking tree is 750 metres (2,460 feet) high and 450 metres (1,476 feet wide), and took 8.5 kilometres (5.2 miles) of cables to light it up. The lights were turned on by lots from Italy's special unit air force, the "Frecce Tricolori" (Tricoloured arrows). Previous years, the honour has gone to famous personalities, from Pope Francis and his predecessor Pope Benedict XVI, to the former Italian President Giorgio Napolitano, and astronaut Paolo Nespoli. A fireworks display followed the lighting ceremony. The tradition of the giant tree in Gubbio goes back to 1981, according to local residents and volunteers. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter: https://twitter.com/AP_Archive Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/APArchives Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/APNews/ You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/4608cb1adbf7f0438c2cf6b08e6346f5
