A tour of Italy’s festivals

Italy is well known for its festivals and events. Many people have heard of Le Tomatina, in which crowds gather to pelt each other with tomatoes, but there are other, lesser known festivals which are just as fascinating. These often draw on the rich history and traditions of Italy, as well as its food, and can form interesting stopping points for tours or multicentre holidays.

Many of the cultural events in Italy produce a carnival atmosphere, and as such, can be truly unforgettable experiences. The ‘Battle of the Oranges’, for example, in Ivrea, Turin, recreates a medieval battle. At the time in Italy, it is said that the lord had the right to sleep with newly married women, but the miller’s daughter, Mugnaia, refused. In the modern re-enactment, oranges are thrown, which represent weapons hurled at the duke’s men. A tour of Italy timed to visit Turin during the event can be a useful way to escape the winter gloom, as the event usually takes place in February.

There are also events later in the year. In Easter, in Fermignano, there is a frog race, again with a medieval connection. In addition to period costumes, hawks and fireworks, young men race around the streets, carrying frogs on wheelbarrows. The food also takes on an amphibian flavour, with frogs-legs served in local restaurants.

Races are a familiar theme in Italy, one of the most famous being the Palio of Siena. This is a horse race run in the city’s square, the Piazza del Campo. It also runs twice a year, in July and August, and includes religious ceremonies and a parade, as well as the race itself. As the race is run with horses representing different neighbourhoods of the city, it is taken very seriously, and a visit to see it could easily be incorporated into a tour of Tuscany’s vineyards.

One location virtually synonymous with the word ‘festival’ in Italy, is Venice. Its annual carnival is one of the most flamboyant in the country, and is famous for its masks, many of which are highly decorated. There are also balls, parties, concerts, and parades. Venice, with its beautiful canals and unique character, would make an excellent base as part of an Italian multicentre holiday.
For more information on tours of Italy taking in one or more festivals, or an Italian multicentre holiday visit the bellarome website to see some of the proposed multi centre packages available http://www.bellarome.com/multi-centres.asp