Brussels-based travel organization European Best Destinations recently named The Most Beautiful Christmas Trees in Europe, with Lithuania’s Vilnius tree being declared as the continent’s most attractive.
More than 14,000 travellers from 82 countries voted to select a city in Europe where the most beautiful Christmas tree is expected to be found this year.
Christmas in Vilnius is heralded each year by the raising of an innovative and durable metallic structure lit by 70,000 bulbs. The tree shines brightly over the city’s Cathedral Square, watched over by the historic Gediminas Castle Tower.
‘Not a single tree was cut down to build Lithuania’s most beautiful Christmas tree. The 27-metre tall metal construction, which is made up of some 6,000 branches and over five kilometres of lighting, is definitely a sight to behold,’ European Best Destinations said in a statement.
The construction, which is presently being erected in Vilnius Cathedral Square is specially designed to create a completely sustainable Christmas tree. All the actual tree branches used in the construction come from trees that foresters have needed to clear while carrying out general maintenance of forests.
The Vilnius Christmas tree in 2018. Photo credit: Saulius Ziura.
As the festive season approaches, Europe’s cities compete to draw visitors with dazzling trees and welcoming markets, showcasing seasonal customs with a local flavour. The designs of the Christmas trees are usually kept secret until the very last moment, and the competition gets increasingly tighter each year.
In 2018 the Christmas tree in Vilnius displayed gleaming cogwheels and pulsating snowflakes, however, the decorations change each year to surprise spectators.
Here are Europe’s top 5 Christmas trees:
1. Vilnius, Lithuania
Christmas tree lighting: November 30th, 2019
Holiday Market Open: November 30th, 2019 – January 7th, 2020
2. Prague, Czech Republic
Christmas tree lighting: November 30th, 2019
Holiday Market open: November 30th, 2019 to January 6th, 2020
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Nicest Christmastree 🌲❄️🤶#prague #praguechristmastree #oldtownprague #nicestchristmastree
3. Strasbourg, France
Christmas tree lighting: November 22nd
Holiday Market open: November 22nd to December 30th, 2019
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4. Cologne, Germany
Christmas tree lighting: November 25th
Holiday Market open: November 25th to December 23rd, 2019
5. Kyiv, Ukraine
Christmas tree lighting: December 19th, 2019
Holiday Market: December 19th, 2019 to January 13th, 2020
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