{"id":11251,"date":"2023-08-09T09:41:37","date_gmt":"2023-08-09T08:41:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/in-italy.eu\/uncategorized\/ferragosto-in-italia\/"},"modified":"2023-12-14T12:56:54","modified_gmt":"2023-12-14T11:56:54","slug":"ferragosto-in-italy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/in-italy.eu\/en\/interessi-en\/ferragosto-in-italy\/","title":{"rendered":"Ferragosto in Italy: the origin of the name and what to do for Ferragosto 2023"},"content":{"rendered":"
Ferragosto in Italy is the name given to 15 August.<\/p>\n
For the church, this day coincides with the Assumption of the Virgin Mary<\/strong>, or the direct passage of the mother of Jesus into paradise.<\/p>\n The term Ferragosto has quite ancient origins, as it is presumed to be related to the ‘Feriae Augusti’<\/strong>, i.e. the holidays institutionalised by Emperor Augustus in 18 BC.<\/p>\n These holidays, therefore, were a period of rest after the annual agricultural activities and included games and festivities such as horse races.<\/p>\n In more recent times, Ferragosto turns out to be the day, for those not on holiday, of the so-called ‘Gita fuori porta’, instituted in the fascist period with the so-called Ferragosto popular trains.<\/p>\n In fact, in the days leading up to 15 August, reduced fares were offered for those who wanted to spend days in holiday resorts.<\/p>\n Today, we can say that Ferragosto is a real highlight of the year that allows families to get together and have lunch together, a bit like Christmas.<\/p>\n On the other hand, for many it is also the time that marks the end of the holidays and the return to traditional city customs.<\/p>\n So, as we have said, on this day, many families gather in long tables to have lunch together, while others prefer to take the ‘trip out of town’, preferring outings to the mountains, in search of fresh air, while still others prefer to spend the day at the beach.<\/p>\n Although not scheduled for Ferragosto (August bank holiday), the Palio di Siena is one of the main attractions of this period.<\/p>\n The Palio is the most important event held in the city of Siena, specifically in Piazza del Campo on 16 August<\/strong>.<\/p>\n The different Sienese contrade compete in an exciting horse race.<\/p>\n Siena is divided into 17 Contrade (districts): Aquila, Bruco, Chiocciola, Civetta, Drago, Giraffa, Istrice, Leocorno, Lupa, Nicchio, Oca, Onda, Pantera, Selva, Tartuca, Torre, and Valdimontone<\/strong><\/em>.<\/p>\n Each contrada is distinguished by a coat of arms, which has unique colours for each contrada and allows people, walking through the streets of Siena, to find out which part of the city they are in.<\/p>\nWhere does the term ‘Ferragosto’ come from?<\/h1>\n
What to do at Ferragosto?<\/h2>\n
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