Gnomes for sale at a Christmas market in Pergine Valsugana, Italy
© Flavia Morlachetti/Moment/Getty Images
Gnomes for sale at a Christmas market in Pergine Valsugana, Italy
These charming figures are on display at a Christmas market in Pergine Valsugana, a destination in northern Italy that embraces its legends of gnomes, dwarves and elves who descend from the mountains bearing holiday treats. Italy isn’t the only region where mountain dwellers are incorporated into festive folklore. In Iceland, it’s trolls who take the spotlight. Today’s date marks the first of the Yule Lad visits, an Icelandic tradition involving 13 trolls who deliver presents – or punishments – each night before Christmas Eve. Tonight’s call is from Sheep-Cote Clod, who harasses sheep. Other lads include Spoon-Licker, Door-Slammer and Sausage-Swiper. Look out!
Related Images
Butchart Gardens in Brentwood Bay, British Columbia, Canada
Great green macaw, Mexico
Striated heron on a Victoria water lily, Pantanal, Brazil
Andean cocks-of-the-rock, Ecuador
Desert bighorn sheep in Valley of Fire State Park, Nevada, United States
Southern yellow-billed hornbills in Kruger National Park, South Africa
Art installation of umbrellas, Borough Market, London, England
Plum-headed parakeet at Shimoga, Karnataka, India
Today on Bing
Tre Cime di Lavaredo, Italy
Dec 11, 2024
Winter in Huangshan Mountains, China
Dec 11, 2023
Roßstein and Buchstein, Bavaria, Germany
Dec 11, 2022
Mount Everest's shadow over the Himalayas, Nepal
Dec 11, 2021
Poinsettia leaf close-up
Dec 11, 2020