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One of my favorite pastimes is undoubtedly visiting the markets of Milan.  Full of character and real life, the markets are an integral part of the Milanese lifestyle. The markets range from very large to very small, and carry a variety of items from flea and food markets to craft and antique markets. The stalls are situated in piazzas throughout the various districts of Milan.  Many markets happen weekly, and some annually.  My favorite among these markets is O Bej! O Bej!, which occurs once a year in the beginning of December.

In Milanese dialect “O Bej! O Bej!” literally means” Oh Belli! Oh Belli!” or, “Oh how beautiful! Oh how beautiful!”  The name originates from the exclamations made by the children when they saw the gifts that they had received from Pope Pius IV, Gianetto Castiglioni in 1510.  In those days, the items on display were mostly gastronomic in nature.  The most popular being the strands of roasted chestnuts, mustard, “castagnaccio” which is similar to a chestnut cake, and paper dolls.
Today, this annual Christmas market is an opportunity for locals, Europeans, and artisans from other countries around the world to show their craftsmanship in a festive environment. In honor of Sant'Ambrogio, the patron saint of Milan, this market is always held during the first week of December because December 7th is Milan’s Patron Saint’s day.  This year, the “Fiera degli O Bej! O Bej!”  will be held from Monday, December 7th through Thursday, December 10th at the “Fiera di Sant’Ambrogio”. All around Milan’s “fiera” and in and around the Saint’s Basilica and Piazza Sant’Ambrogio, the streets are lined with stalls displaying crafts and fantastic gifts for Christmas.  This market is a shopper’s wonderland.  Outside you will find local delicacies such as “vin brule”.  Once you enter the gates of the “fiera”, you must get a map to find your way from one hall to another.  It is very easy to get lost and turned around.  Each hall is themed, and ranges from a hall containing only Italian artisans, to one with Italian food and wine, another with Europe artisans, and one hall is for the artisans that come from countries outside Europe. 

This fair provides an excellent opportunity to do some Christmas shopping and appreciate the craftsmanship of Italy, Europe and abroad.  The market is open from 8:00 am to 7:30 pm daily.  Don’t miss one of Milan’s most festive cultural traditions!

For information http://www.turismo.comune.milano.it
or
Fiera degli Oh bej, oh bej
Piazza Sant'Ambrogio
20123 Milano
Tel. +392725241

Photo of the O Bej! O Bej! Market by Giorgio Milani

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