Ferragosto

With Ferragosto (from Latin Feriae Augusti = feast of Augustus ) in Italy is called the holiday, which falls on the 15th of August. It is also celebrated in parts of Germany and in many predominantly Catholic countries as the Assumption on August 15. He is considered one of the most important religious and family holidays in Italy.

However, its history goes back further: August 15 applies in Italy as the hottest day of the summer and thus identifies the "turning point of the summer ." The holiday has its origins in the first Roman emperor Augustus back: On 13th August 14th and 15th in 29 BC, he celebrated in Rome after his victories over Mark Antony and Cleopatra at Actium and Alexandria, a three-day triumph - officially for the conquest Egypt. The anniversaries and later only August 15 were from then on throughout the Roman Empire Holidays " feriae Augusti ". It would thus represents the oldest in Europe still committed holiday.

To this day around the present-day Italians plan their vacations, mostly in their own country, and specifically where it is cooled by the sea or in the mountains.

That is why many Italians mean by Ferragosto also the entire vacation, they take about 15 August. This period is to be regarded almost as state-ordered holiday season. Almost the entire bureaucratic and economic life comes to a standstill.

It must therefore be reckoned with magnificent beaches, miles of traffic jams, fully booked, hotels, restaurants and campsites. Logically identifies Ferragosto also the center of the peak season. At no time will a vacationer life in Italy is more expensive but also more lively and rich in events, as in the days around Ferragosto. Everywhere is celebrated in many places and finished the evening with a fireworks display at midnight.

In the big cities, however, it is likely that most of the shops, restaurants, theaters, cinemas but also offices are closed.