Ferragosto

15th August is Ferragosto in Italy. It is a public holiday all over the country.

The holiday dates back to the Emperor Augustus in 18 BC. The name comes from the Latin feriae Augusti, Augustus’s rest and was designed to link a few festivals and provide a period of rest after the harvest and agricultural tasks.

Many businesses close for August and most of the country is on holdiay. Beaches are packed with people on Ferragosto and it is probably the busiest day of the year on the roads…drive carefully.

Have a great day!

 

6 thoughts on “Ferragosto

  1. This festivity has been celebrated since 18 BC and in the past it used to last up to a full month. Nowadays, some shops close in the afternoon during the whole or part of the month of August. Many services operate partially only. The main festivity is the 15th of August. In pagan times, this was a festivity dedicated to the goddess Diana. The Roman Catholic Church replaced it with the celebration of Our Lady of the Assumption.

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