• Firstly, on April 21st is the Natale di Roma (The Foundation of Rome), the day the ancient city was founded. The city has official celebrations in many squares, along with re-enactments of ancient times at Circus Maximus and in front of the Colosseum. Despite the City’s Celebration, shops, monuments and public services are all open.
  • On January 6th is La Befana, which is a holiday very similar to St. Nicolaus in Nordic countries. It’s a holiday for children, and instead of Santa Claus, an old woman (Befana) on a broomstick takes stockings full of candy and toys to good children, and coal to the naughty ones. The centre of the celebration is in Piazza Navona. Restaurants, souvenir shops and tourist shop in general are open, not the other common shops.
  • The Pentecost is a Christian festivity, and a very special day. It falls on the 50th day (seventh Sunday) after Easter Sunday, and it commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit. On that day, if you are lucky enough to visit the Pantheon (the largest ancient Dome in the world), you will experience a beautiful shower of rose petals which fall from the large hole (oculus) in the centre of the Dome! Since the Christian Easter date changes every year, the Pentecost date changes in accordance. Everything is open as usual.
  • The 25th of April marks Festa della Liberazione (Liberation Day), also known as the Anniversary of Italy’s Liberation or simply 25 Aprile (April 25th), is a national Italian holiday commemorating the end of the fascist regime and German occupation during World War II. If you are in Rome that day and hear a strong roar, raise your eyes to the sky to witness and incredible show by the Frecce Tricolore (Tricolored Arrows, Italian Airforce), considered to be the most spectacular air display team in the world. Being a nation holiday, many shops are closed and also the public transport may be slown down.
  • May 1st is International Workers Day, also known as Labour Day, and celebrates the achievements of workers. Almost all shops and restaurants are closed and public transportation is slown down. In the evening there is a free concert in the quare of St.John in Laterano Cathedral, with pop italian music.
  • On June 2nd there is Festa della Repubblica (Republic Day) – a national holiday celebrated throughout the country, with the main celebrations focused in Rome. The event includes the deposition of a laurel wreath as a tribute to the Unknown Soldier at the Altare della Patria (in Piazza Venezia) by the Italian president, along with a military parade. Most of shops are closed and most of Romans go out of town.
  • June 29th is the Pietro e Paolo (the Feast of Saint Peter and Paul), the day of the city’s patron saints. There is a special mass held in St. Peter’s Cathedral in the Vatican, and another at the church of S. Paolo Fuori La Mura (Church of Saint Paul Outside the City Walls). In addition, many other celebrations are held around the city. Shops are closed and public transportation may be slown down.
  •  August 15th – This holiday is celebrated throughout Italy, and has its origins deriving from Feriae Augusti (on August 1st), which was the festival of Emperor Augustus. Later, the Catholic church decided to move the festivity to August 15th to coordinate with the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. Most of the shops, the Vatican museums, & the Sistine Chapel are close to the public.
  • Ooops! Lastly but certainly not the least, how can we forget Christmas and Easter? Most of the Italians are Catholics and in these two days the churches are filled, like no other day of the year. Masses take place in all churches and the most special is naturally the one in St. Peter’s Cathedral with the Pope. Then, Roman families are gathered at home for endless lunches and almost all shops, monuments and archaeological sites are closed, with the exception of a few rare restaurant.
appetito March 6, 2020 Travel Advice no responses