August is Italy’s official holiday season. In the past, residents of cities would leave in large numbers for the beaches and businesses shuttered for several weeks.
Ferragosto is the culmination of the holiday.
You can participate in many events if you travel to Italy during the holidays.
If you want to avoid crowds, it is worth knowing which places to avoid.
What is Italy’s Ferragosto holiday?
The Ferragosto celebration of 15 August marks the peak of summer. Italy.
The Feriae Augusti is the 18 BC festival of Emperor Augustus that gave rise to the festival. After the labor of the previous months, 1 August was made a rest day for agricultural workers.
Around 5 AD, a Catholic Church felt the need put a religious spin to the festivity and moved it to 15 Aug, the celebration for the Assumption Mary.
Until recently, almost all industries and shops in the United States were located in this area. ItalyThe entire month of August was shut down and there was a massive exodus to sea.
Now, businesses limit closures to around two weeks, but it remains one of Italy’s most important festivities.
How do Italians celebrate Ferragosto in Italy?
Ferragosto is best celebrated by heading to the beach. Many families make camp at the coast for the entire month of Aug, and the holiday’s climax is on the 15th.
On Ferragosto day, it is tradition to have a large barbecue or al fresco lunch at the beach with your family and friends.
This practice has its origins during Italy’s Fascist regime. Ferragosto excursions were organized by the government to the beach in the 1920s. To make it affordable for everyone, the government set up special rail trips to the seaside at a discount.
However, since the organised excursions didn’t involve food, it became customary to bring a packed lunch. This has led to extravagant meals that often include heavy fare such as pasta bakes or stuffed vegetables.
Is everything in Italy closed for August?
Although it used to be difficult for a restaurant to open in a city near Ferragosto, it is now much easier.
Many businesses are still closed but there has been an increase in summer tourists, so restaurants, bars and gelaterie are usually open.
Many cities hold events throughout August in order to meet the rising tourism. Some, such as RomeAnd BolognaWhile there is a jazz festival at Bari in Apulian and an opera festival at Macerata in Le Marche, erect outdoor cinemas.
On 27 August, Melpignano in PugliaNight of Taranta hosts a festival that celebrates traditional folk dance and music. The famous Palio horse race is held in Siena on the 16th.
Major tourist attractions, including the Uffizi Gallery, remain open. FlorenceThe Ducal Palace and the Ducal Palace Venice. The Vatican Museums are the exception, and they close on 15 August.
How not to travel to Italy in August
Driving is the biggest mistake you can make in August. With people heading back and forth from the sea, Italy’s roads are a nightmare around Ferragosto.
Motorways become busier and there are fewer roads that lead to them. coastal holiday hotspotsMajor traffic jams are common.
The Italian government issues Travel warningsEach year, to assist motorists in avoiding peak times. It publishes a calendar that codes days according to traffic intensity.
Yellow signifies heavy traffic, while red signals heavy traffic in potentially critical conditions. Black indicates critical levels of traffic.
Red is often used for weekends, while black is used for mornings of 6 and 13. August.
The general advice is to avoid driving on Fridays or Monday mornings.
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