Rome mayor lights up 2020 Christmas tree

The lights of Rome's Christmas tree were turned on Tuesday evening by Virginia Raggi, the Mayor of Rome, who pressed the button remotely from the town hall, since COVID restrictions have put a stop to big gatherings.

Despite the bad weather, and security restrictions due to the pandemic, the central square of Rome Piazza Venezia saw a few hundred people attending the annual event.

Popularly known as "Spelacchio" the 23-meter-high Christmas tree has been decorated with 100 thousand lights and 800 red, silver and gold Christmas balls.

The tree and its decoration were funded by Rome's Municipality and cost 140,000 euros.