Ferragosto, or Assumption Day, is an Italian national holiday and holy day of obligation in the Catholic Church. Celebrated on August 15, Ferragosto is the height of the Italian holiday season. While many businesses in larger cities may be closed, museums and tourist shops will be open and bustling.
Millions of Italians take their annual vacation in the two weeks before or after August 15, which means that highways, airports, train stations, and beaches will be packed to the core. Around September 1, when Italians return to work and children prepare to go back to school, companies return to their regular hours and practices.
History of the celebration of Ferragosto
This national holiday has a history that goes back centuries, even before the Catholic holy day, to the founding of ancient Rome. The Roman Emperor Caesar Augustus (Octavian), the first Roman emperor, celebrated the first iteration of Ferragosto, called Feriae Augusti, in 18 BC. The date commemorates the victory of Augustus over his rival Marc Antony at the Battle of Actium.
Many ancient Roman festivals were held in August, including the Consualia, which celebrated the harvest, and several of the ancient traditions started during the time of Augustus are still part of modern Ferragosto celebrations today. The horses are adorned with flowers and are given the day off from any agricultural chores, for example.
The Palio di Siena horse race, which was held on July 2 and August 16 as part of Ferragosto, also has its origin in the Feriae Augusti celebrations.
Catholic Celebration of Asunción
According to Roman Catholic teachings, the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary commemorates the death of Mary, the mother of Jesus, and her bodily assumption into heaven after the end of her life on earth.
Like many Christian holy days (including Christmas and Easter), the timing of the Assumption was scheduled to coincide with a previously existing pagan holiday.
Mid-August during fascism
During the Fascist Era in Italy, Mussolini used Ferragosto as a populist party, making special travel offers to the working classes that allowed them to visit different parts of the country. This tradition lives on in the current era, with many travel discounts promoted for the Ferragosto holiday period.
Mid-August Festivales
You will find celebrations all over Italy around this day, often including music, food, parades, or fireworks. Here are some popular Ferragosto festivals celebrated in Italy on August 15.
- Rome’s Gran Ballo di Ferragosto fills the squares of Rome with live dance performances. There is a different type of dance in each square.
- Diano Marina in Liguria celebrates a festival of the sea with a large fireworks display.
- In Tuscany, Montepulciano has a historical contest and games.
- Cappelle sul Tavo, near Pescara on the Abruzzo coast, celebrates with the Palio delle Pupe, large effigies paraded through the streets at night. During the procession, they eventually explode with fireworks.
- Sassari in Sardinia has the Festa dei Candelieri dating back to the 16th century. At this exciting festival on August 14 and 15, you will see a race with men’s teams with huge candles.
In addition to the festivities celebrated on August 15, many Ferragosto festivals continue until August 16.
- Siena, in Tuscany, runs its second Palio race in the city’s main square.
- Girifalco in Calabria celebrates the feast of San Rocco on August 16.
Updated by Elizabeth Heath
