What's On in Italy 2015• MILAN EXPO 2015• ART EXIBITIONS• NEW MUSEUMS• FESTIVALS• CARNIVALS• SPORTMILAN EXPO 2015 May 1 - October 31, 2015 Milan will host the Universal Exposition. The theme chosen is “Feeding
the Planet. Energy for Life”. Expo Milano 2015 wants to face the pressing food problems: nowadays over one billion people in the world go hungry or suffer from obesity; and in 2050 the Earth will host more than 9 billion people. Experts from all over the world will work together to develop the theme from different points of view: economic, scientific, cultural and social ones.
Expo Milano 2015 will leave a material inheritance: the Expo site will become a Smart city, a district where technology and energy are used in a clever and sustainable way.
Along the axis of Rho-Fiera and Malpensa, the site will be in a strategic area, near two highways, next to Linate and Malpensa airports and linked by high-speed train and the underground.
The six-month long exhibition expects more than 20 million visitors and over 130 Countries.
www.expo2015.orgART EXIBITIONSMILANLeonardo, at Palazzo Reale from April 15 to July 19, 2015
Giotto, at Palazzo Reale from September 2, 2015 to January 10, 2016
www.artpalazzoreale.it/INDE_M263.htmlROMEBimillenial fo the Emperor Augustus - the Splendors and the Calendars in Ancient Times at the Museo Nazionale Romano in Palazzo Massimo Until 2 June 2015
www.turismoroma.it/cosa-fare/bimillenario-di-augusto?lang=enGiorgio Morandi, Painter, at Complesso del Vittoriano from 27 Feb to 21 June 2015
www.060608.it/en/print/eventi-e-spettacoli/mostre/giorgio-morandi-1890-1964.htmlFLORENCEPower and Pathos. Bronze of the Hellenisti World at the Palazzo Strozzi from March 14 to June 21, 2015
www.palazzostrozzi.org/Piero di Cosimo at the Uffizi Gallery from June 22 to September 27, 2015
www.unannoadarte.itBellezza Divina - Sacred Art from Gaugin to Fontana at the Palazzo Strozzi from September 26, 2015 to January 24, 2016
www.palazzostrozzi.org/TURINClaude Monet from March to June 2015 at GAM – Galleria Civica d’Arte Moderna e Contemporanea
www.gamtorino.itRaffaello and the Arts from March to September 2015 at Reggia di Venaria Reale
www.lavenaria.itRAVENNAIl Bel Paese, the Beautiful Country, Italy from the Risorgimento to the Great War, from the Macchiaioli to the Futurists at Museo d’Arte della città di Ravenna from Feburary 22 to June 14, 2015
www.mar.ra.it/eng/Mostra/Il-Bel-PaeseFERRARALa Rosa di Fuoco - Barcelona of Picasso and Gaudi at the Palazzo dei Diamanti from April 19 to July 19, 2015
www.palazzodiamanti.it/895/palazzo-dei-diamantiPADUAGiovanni Fattori, Painter at the Palazzo Zabarella from October 3. 2015 to February 28, 2016
www.zabarella.itFORLI (Emilia Romagna)Boldini - the Enchantment of Modernity from Macchiaioli Painters to Paris at the Musei di San Domenico from February 1 to June 14, 2015
www.mostrefondazioneforli.itREGGIO EMILIA (Emilia Romagna)Piero Della Francesca – Drawings between art and science at the Palazzo MagnaniMarch 4 to June 14, 2015
www.palazzomagnani.itNEW MUSEUMS/RE-OPENINGS/ SPECIAL EVENTSAQUAE VENICE 2015 the international exhibition dedicated to water will take
place in Venice from May to October 2015. AQUAE is promoted by Expo Venice and is a side show
of EXPO MILANO 2015 who is also the sponsor.
www.aquae2015.orgSACRA SINDONE in Turin
Sacra Sindone – Ostension of the Holy Shroud 19 april – 24 june 2015 Duomo of Torino
www.sindone.org/NEW EGYPTIAN MUSEUM, TURINThe culmination of a major development project, the new layout will be opened on April 1, 2015 to the public in Turin, second only in importance to that of Cairo.
www.museoegizio.itDIOCLETIAN THERMAL BATHS, ROMENew areas, previously closed to the public, have recently been re-opened at the Diocletian Thermal Baths in Rome. The “Natatio” the biggest swimming pool of the Roman Era, extended over 4000sqm, only partly visible now, the rest being occupied by constructions of a later age such
as the 16th century Chiostrino Ludovisi in the central area. The façade was depicted as a theatrical set by artists such as Piranesi and Palladio. This area together with the Aula VIII has been re-opened after 30 years to the public.
MTV EMA MUSIC AWARDS October 25, 2015
Milan will host the MTV Europe Music Awards 2015, the event is linked to Milan EXPO 2015.
FESTIVALS VERONA IN LOVEVerona in Love, February 12-15, 2015, dedicated to love and lovers takes place in the main squares. of the city - as a tribute to San Valentine and to the Shakespearian tragedy of Romeo and Juliet, the city will host live concerts, tasting and handicrafts events, typical local markets and you can visit Juliet’s house. Lovers can get the 'seal of love' and experience fireworks of flying hearts! On Sunday
morning it is also possible to take part to the Romeo and Juliet half marathon.
www.veronainlove.itFESTIVAL DELLA CANZONE ITALIANASanremo, Liguria February 10-14 2015
The Festival of San Remo has been an annual event since 1951. This singing competition begun
as a way of revitalising the economy following WWII and over the years it has become a top Italian music contest broadcast on national TV and even becoming the inspiration for the Eurovision Song Contest. Over the festival’s five days - watch the 14 singing champions and eight promising young talents as well as interpretive musical acts. All performances take place at the Ariston Theatre.
www.sanremo.rai.itMAGGIO MUSICALE FIORENTINO FESTIVALTeatro Comunale, Florence, April 30 - June 27, 2015
One of the oldest traditional cultural events in Florence. The Stabile Orchestrale Fiorentina was born in 1928 and in 1933 it organized the first edition of the Festival, which, over the years grew to international fame. The Festival has its own Ballet Company called Maggio Dance.
www.maggiofiorentino.comARENA DI VERONAJune 19 - September 6, 2015
The International Opera Festival presents a rich calendar of events. The operas to be performed this year are: Aida, Romeo et Juliet, Nabucco, Tosca, Don Giovanni, Il Barbiere di Siviglia, Carmina Burana. Arena di Verona welcomes once again artists and public in its magnificent setting. www.arena.it
RAVELLO CONCERTSVilla Rufolo, Ravello, Amalfi Coast, April3 - October 30, 2015
Listen to concerts held in the gardens and the rooms of Villa Rufolo, famous for having inspired Wagner for the setting of his Parsifal. www.
ravelloarts.org
CLASSICAL GREEK THEATRE FESTIVALSiracusa, Sicily 15 May – 28 June 2015
Classical Greek theatrical representation in the magical atmosphere of the Greek Theatre in Siracusa, this year’s programme includes: Le Supplici by Aeschylus, Medea by Seneca and Ifigenia in Aulide by Euripides.
www.indafondazione.orgLA NOTTE ROSA – PINK NIGHTAdriatic coast of Emilia Romagna July 4-5, 2015
For one night the entire Riviera turns pink. There will be shows, events, theatre sets, and scenery. The whole Riviera will become an enormous stage where everyone has a part to play. La Notte Rosa will take place all along the coast, from the Lidos of Comacchio to Cattolica, but the heart of the event is the Riviera of Rimini.
www.lanotterosa.it61st PUCCINI FESTIVALTorre del Lago, July 24 - August 30, 2015
The Festival Puccini, created by Puccini himself, since 1930. The outdoor theatre, close to Villa Mausoleo where the Master’s remains lie, is an amazing setting to enjoy the music of one of the most outstanding and esteemed Italian artists worldwide. Operas on show in 2015 are: Madame Butterfly, Tosca, La Rondine and Turandot.
www.puccinifestival.itESTATE MUSICALE CHIGIANASiena, Montalcino, Asciano, July-August 2015
The churches, abbeys and theatres of the province and city of Siena are the settings for the
Chigiana Summer, featuring maestros of international music. The yearly concert programme is strengthened by students from the “Alto Perfezionamento” courses - 600 talented young musicians from more than 50 countries.
www.chigiana.itSFERISTERIO OPERA FESTIVALMacerata, July 17- August 9, 2015
This 51st edition of the Festival will stage :Rigoletto, Cavalleria Rusticana, I Pagliacci and La Boheme. The Opera Festival is hosted almost entirely in the magnificent theatre-shaped Sferisterio, unique in its architectural genre.
www.sferisterio.itROSSINI OPERA FESTIVALPesaro, August 10 - 22, 2015
Entirely dedicated to the music and operas of Goacchino Rossini - born in the Le Marche city of Pesaro. This year, the 36th edition of the festival includes: La gazza ladra, L’inganno felice, La gazzetta, Viaggio a Reims.
www.rossinioperafestival.it54th STRESA FESTIVALStresa, July 22- September 4, 2015
Three themed events, held in a number of venues (Lake Maggiore, Lake Orta, Val d’Ossola) on various dates.
www.stresafestival.euMUSICA RIVA FESTIVALRiva del Garda, July 19 - August 2, 2015
www.musicarivafestival.com16th EDITION OF SUMMER JAMBOREESenigallia, Marche August 1- 9, 2015
Dedicated to the music and culture in America in the ’40s and ’50s with live concerts of dj set swing, rock’n’roll, jive, doo-wop, rhythm’n’blues, hill-billy e western swing .Stands will sell: juke
box, hats, gadgets, guitars, vynils, CDs and other objects of that era. There will also be a ‘40s and ‘50s classic cars show.
www.summerjamboree.comVENICE FILM FESTIVALVenice, August 26 - Sept. 5, 2015
The 72nd edition of this film festival, one of the oldest and most famous. Thousands of
visitors, dozens of stars and hundreds of projections are crammed into ten days of fabulous festivities and parties. The Festival is hosted at the Lido Island in the Venice Lagoon.
www.labiennale.orgMITO SETTEMBRE MUSICATurin and Milan, September 2015
The world’s best orchestras, baroque opera, medieval music, the great maestros of contemporary music and the music from the most distant places; jazz, open-air shows, night-time concerts.
www.mitosettembremusica.itFESTIVALETTERATURAMantova - September 9-13, 2015
The Festival of Literature and offers cultural events, readings, shows, concerts.
www.festivaletteratura.it
SPORTRBS SIX NATIONS RUGBY TOURNAMENTRome – Stadio Olimpico
The European Rugby Tournament returns to Italy (Stadio Olimpico in Rome) this year with
the following matches:
• Italy – Ireland on February 7, 2015
• Italy - Wales on March 21, 2015
www.rbs6nations.comROME MARATHONRome- March 22, 2015
www.maratonadiroma.itBIKE FESTIVAL GARDA TRENTINORiva del Garda, Trentino
May 1-3, 2015
The Bike Festival Garda Trentino is back in spring.
www.gardatrentino.itGIRO D’ ITALIAStarts May 9, 2015 in San Lorenzo al Mare in Liguria, ends in Milan on May 31
www.gazzetta.itMILLE MIGLIAMay 14-17, 2015
The most beautiful vintage cars in the world chosen to participate in the race each year are selected under rigorous guidelines. The 2015 edition plans a departure from Brescia, journeying through Lake Garda, Padua, Ferrara, Republic of San Marino, Ascoli Piceno to Rome and then back to Brescia via Siena, Pisa, Parma, and Bergamo.
www.1000miglia.euPALIO DEL GOLFOAugust 2, 2015, La Spezia
The thirteen hamlets of the Gulf compete to win the Palio aboard handmade boats built by local craftsmen, with special characteristics that make them agile and fast. The sport competition is preceded by parades, events, shows and meetings, which liven up the entire town for days; it finishes late in the evening on the first Sunday of August, with fireworks displays.
www.paliodelgolfo.itBARCOLANA – SAIL RACETrieste, October 11, 2015
Every year more than two thousand sails meet in the Gulf of Trieste. The 16 mile nautical route, Europe’s biggest sailing event and the only regatta in the world to set a single start line for so many yachts.
www.barcolana.itCARNIVALSCARNIVAL OF VIAREGGIOViareggio February 1,8,15,22, 2015
The most flamboyant of all the Italian Carnivals, famous for its political satire will hosts the traditional shows of gigantic paper-mache figures on colourful floats. See above dates.
www.viareggio.ilcarnevale.comHISTORIC CARNIVAL OF IVREAIvrea - Piedmont Feb 1-18, 2015
Traditional sounds of pipe and drum bands open the festival that sees the famous Battle of the Oranges ( February15, 17)
www.storicocarnevaleivrea.it/English/CARNIVALE DEI FIGLI DI BOCCOCastiglion Fibocchi - Arezzo – 1 & 8 February 2015
Takes place in Castiglion Fibocchi, a town near Arezzo. Castiglion Fibocchi is situated along the Roman road called Cassia Vetus, near the mountain of Pratomagno: a charming town dating back to the medieval period, exactly to the XII century. This carnival is an old event, when the participants wear fabulous baroque costumes and artistic paper-pulp masks. The carnival of Castiglion Fibocchi has been often considered a rival of the Venice Carnival.
www.carnevaledeifiglidibocco.itCARNIVAL OF VENICEVenice, January 31 - February 17, 2015
The world’s most famous masked “open city “ party, - every corner of Venice flourishes with chances to have fun and becomes a multicoloured series of shows, parades, masks and much more. St Mark’s Square, the true centre of the party, is transformed into a continuous workshop of colours, masks, music and shows hosting Carnival’s traditional events such as “Flight of the Angel” , “Festa delle Marie” and “La Colombina”. Palaces throughout the city host grand masked balls for those who want to immerse themselves in the Serenissima’s festive history. This year’s edition is dedicated to gourmet food, gastronomy and conviviality in cooperation with Expo Milan 2015.
www.carnevale.venezia.itCARNIVAL OF ACIREALEAcireale - Catania, January 31, February 1, 8, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 2015
The Carnival of Acireale, is popularly known as the most exciting, beautiful and fun carnival in all of Sicily. It is one of the most involving and historical festivities of the island. The parade is held throughout the downtown circuit which includes the main baroque attractions of the city of Acireale. The largest component of the whole Carnival is the crowd that embodies it, and is left completely free to roam the circuit without being enclosed behind barriers. Twinned with the Carnival of Viareggio it has a rich programme of events.
www.carnevaleacireale.comCARNIVAL OF PUTIGNANOPutignano in Puglia, January 31 & February 8,15, 17, 2015
The Carnival of Putignano, a lovely town in Puglia south of Bari, is one of the oldest in Europe and one of the most important in Southern Italy. Allegorical floats and masks, masquerades, food and wine will entertain visitors through the streets of the town during the Carnival days. The mascot of the Carnival of Putignano is called ‘Farinella’, named after a local dish made from chickpea and barley flour.
www.carnevalediputignano.itCARNIVAL OF FANOFano in the Marche Region, February 1,8,15, 2015
After the Ivrea Carnival, the Fano Carnival is the oldest in Italy, allegorical floats and masks, masquerades, shows and fireworks all form part of it. What makes the Fano Carnival special is the launch of tons of sweets from the floats to the crowds of spectators and the special music accompanying the Carvival, the Arabita music played with musical instruments and various other objects.
www.carnevaledifano.euCARNIVAL OF ARCO![]()
Arco in Lake Garda – Trentino, February 7,8, 14, 15, 2015
The colours, costumes, music and merriment: Carnival has always been the favourite festival of children, but in Garda Trentino it is a joy for grownups as well. Rites associated with the reawakening of life, local fairs, food festivals and lots of fun! The Great Carnival takes place in
Arco each year. During this famous event, a traditional parade of allegorical floats winds through the streets of the small town. Splendid balls in which the guests are dressed in costumes from the Hapsburg period are held in the rooms of the Casino.
www.carnevalarco.comCARNIVAL OF CENTOCento in Emilia-Romagna, February1.8.15,22, & March 1, 2015
The most extravagant Carnival in Europe is twinned with the Brazilian Carnival for the style of its
allegorical floats, the beautiful costumes and for the riotous fun. Cento is a town near Ferrara in Emilia-Romagna and it will host many famous guest stars for the world of culture, sport, entertainment as well as beautiful floats in papier-mache’.
www.carnevalecento.comCARNIVAL OF BAGOLINOBagolino , near Lake Idro (Brescia), February 15,16,17, 2015
The Carnival of Bagolino, a small village near Lake Idro, is unique in Italy. It is an ancient tradition and it is deeply rooted into the people of Bagolino and Ponte Caffaro. The celebration is characterised by two different, yet inseparable figures: “The Balarì” e “The Mascher”. The origins of dances and music relating to the Balarì are of the 16th century while the origins of the Mascher seem to be older. The most spectacular aspect of the carnival of Bagolino is represented by the dancers, the Balarì, both for the richly adorned costume and for the
THE EXPLOSION OF THE CARTFlorence - Easter Sunday, April 5, 2015
Tradition says that during the first Crusade of 1096 the Florentine knight Pazzo de 'Pazzi was the first man who planted the banner of the Cross on battlements of Jerusalem and as a gift he received some fragments of the Holy Sepulchre. Upon his return to Florence the stones were used to start the Sacred Fire of Holy Saturday, and were paraded through the city as homage to it in a richly decorated chariot. Nowadays, on Easter Sunday a large wagon is pulled by white oxen in a procession in the streets of the centre of Florence to the front of the cathedral.
FESTA DEI CERI (RACE OF THE CANDLES)Gubbio May 15, 2015
The Festa Dei Ceri is one of the oldest, if not the oldest Italian folklore display The festival is a solemn act of devotion on the part of the Eugubini towards their Bishop Ubaldo Baldassini which started in 1160, the year of his death. Since then, every 15 May, the eve of the day of mourning, the devotional offering to the patron Saint is a fixed appointment for the people of Gubbio who take part in a great mystical procession, carrying candles all around the town and up Mount Ingino (where since 11 September 1194 the body of Saint Ubaldo lies, in the church which bears his name).
www.ceri.itTHE PALIO OF FERRARAFerrara, May 2-31, 2015
The Palio of Ferrara is the most ancient event of its kind is the world dating back to 1279. It is peculiar for its kind of ride that is joyful and so different from other warlike palii. This is a very important moment for the city: all the Contrade participate wearing dress of different colours to gain the “palio”, but also and overall it is a festivity to remember the Renaissance, a period during which Ferrara was really a capital. The Palio is run on Sunday 31 May.
www.paliodiferrara.itGIOSTRA DELL’ARCHIDADOCortona, June 14, 2015
The Archidado Joust traces its origins back to the Middle Ages and was officially created in 1397 to celebrate the wedding of Francesco Casali, the Lord of Cortona, and Antonia Salimbeni, a noble woman from Siena. In the city of Cortona, this historical event is recalled every year on the second Sunday of June, when people are lead back to the ancient medieval splendour of the city. The streets are decorated in medieval style, ladies, knights, flag flyers, crossbow shooters, soldiers, pages, civil and religious authorities, all dressed with fine costumes, liven up the city center, which is rich in history and artistic beauties of every time.
www.giostraarchidado.comPALIO DEL NIBALLOFaenza, Emilia Romagna, June 28, 2015
Seeing the Palio del Niballo is like living and enjoying a day in 14th-century Faenza. Flag-wavers, knights, and drummers dressed in the colours of the town's five contending “rioni” (i.e. quarters) - White, Yellow, Black, Red and Green - flood the most charming parts of the old town centre, accompanied by the pounding of drums. The palio consists in hitting a revolving dummy with a spear. The dummy is fashioned as a Saracen
warrior (called the “Niballo”) and the idea is to get your horse to run past faster than the Niballo turns. In June, before the palio, the rioni warm up with flag-waving and music competitions and the Bigorda d'Oro (a palio for younger racers).
www.paliodifaenza.itLUMINARA AND RACE OF SAN RANIERILungarno, Pisa, June 16,17, 2015
www.
pisaunicaterra.it/en/villages-and-cities-of-art/pisa-en.html
On the occasion of the Feast of San Ranieri, Patron Saint of Pisa, celebrated annually on 16-17 June, the enchantment of the illuminations of Saint Ranieri is renewed on the streets running along the river Arno (the so-called Lungarni). In fact, following the ancient tradition the Pisans celebrate their Patron Saint on the following day with the historical Regatta of San Ranieri (Palio). There are more than a hundred thousand wax candles which at every edition are meticulously set in smooth and white glasses and fixed then onto wooden white-painted frames, modelled in such a way as to highlight the outline of the palaces, of the bridges, of the churches and of the towers reflecting the river.
www.pisaunicaterra.it/en/villages-and-cities-of-art/pisa-en.htmlFESTIVAL OF THE REDENTOREVenice, July18-19, 2015
One of the most popular events in Venice is celebrated each year on the third Sunday of July. The festival itself dates back to the year 1576, and is named after the church Redentore that was designed by Palladio and resides on the island of Guidecca. Venice was suffering from a terrible plague, and the Republic's senate voted to build a temple on the Guidecca Island in honour of Christ the Redeemer, and the Venetians promised to go there every year on the third Sunday of July, if the plague stopped. Traditionally, the Venetians celebrate this day by having dinner on the Saturday night while watching an incredible display of fireworks that light up the
skies over Venice for an hour or more.
www.veneziamarketingeventi.itARCO ASBURGICA (HABSBURG ARCO)Arco, Trentino September 6-12, 2015
Arco is a town in Trentino and every year it revives the atmosphere of past times, when the Empress Sissi of Habsburg used to holiday here with her court. Girls dressed as dames and men as gentlemen in typical Habsburg costumes fill the streets of the town, music, dances and finally a Habsburg afternoon tea will entertain the visitors.
www.arcoasburgica.itHISTORICAL REGATTAVenice September 6, 2015
The Grand Canal every year during the first Sunday of September becomes a theatre for one of the greatest of Venetian events, the Historical Regatta, dating back to 1315 under the rule of doge Giovanni Soranzo. The Historical Regatta starts out with the colourful procession on water, formed by the Bissone, the Bucintoro and the boats of the Venetian rowing clubs, but also the women’s race on Mascarete and that of the youngsters Pupperini.
www.regatastoricavenezia.itQUINTANA OF FOLIGNOFoligno, June 12-13, and September 12-13, 2015
Foligno, in the heart of Umbria is famous worldwide for the Quintana, the jousting tournament
which in June and September renews the challenge among the knights of its ten “sestieri”. An exciting challenge where each knight, riding his own galloping horse, has to catch a series of rings (which gradually become smaller and smaller) hanging from a wooden statue called "Quintana". It is a great feast of people, colours and passions, but also an accurate historical, scenic, iconographic and gastronomic reconstruction of the Italian Baroque.
www.quintana.itQUINTANA OF ASCOLI PICENOAscoli Piceno, August 6, 2015
Ascoli Piceno in the Marche region, hosts each year the historical Quintana, a re-enactment of Medieval customs and practices. The participants are dressed in Medieval costumes and walk in procession along the streets of the city in each “sestiere” (city quarter), followed by flag bearers and archers. In the restaurants of the city one can taste typical food and wine and the festivities culminate with the blessing of the knights participanting to the Palio by the city’s Bishop and the Palio itself.
www.quintanadiascoli.itTHE PALIO OF SIENASiena, July 2, August 16, 2015
Siena celebrates its most ancient and sacred ritual: horses and riders representing ten of Siena’s seventeen contrade, or districts, race around the ring of tufo rock that covers the Piazza del Campo. On July 2 and August 16 the long afternoon begins in the heart of each contrada with the blessing of the horses, followed by the historical parade to the piazza. Finally, there is the race itself: the
victorious contrada bears the banner triumphantly to the Provenzano Basilica for the “te deum” thanksgiving to the Madonna (June 2) or to the Madonna Assunta (August 16).
www.comune.siena.itPALIO DEI NORMANNI DI PIAZZA ARMERINAPiazza Armerina, Sicily, August 12,13,14. 2015
Plutia (the old Piazza Armerina) is home to the most ancient medieval event in Southern Italy from August 12-14 in honour of Madonna Maria SS. Delle Vittorie. The event is a reenactment of Sicily being conquered in 1060 by the Normans, led by Ruggero of Altavilla. At the end of the event, the whole procession parades through the main streets, triumphantly displaying the city flag along with
its winners.
www.feditgiochistorici.itBRAVIO DELLE BOTTIMontepulciano, Siena -August 30, 2015
The eight districts of Montepulciano compete to win a painted banner by rolling 80 kg barrels uphill along a 1,800 metre route. The route is chosen in advance, and there are eight starting points, set out in two rows. As the bell tolls in the Town Hall bell tower the umpire gives the signal for the race to start. Two men, the “pushers”, roll the barrels along the competition route, winding up through the evocative streets of the old town centre of Montepulciano to the Cathedral churchyard in the Piazza Grande. In the days leading up to the race Montepulciano celebrates the traditional Candle Procession, with a parade though the beautiful city streets in period costume, illuminated only by torchlight.
www.braviodellebotti.comTHE MACCHINA DI SANTA ROSA PROCESSIONViterbo - September 3, 2015
www.
facchinidisantarosa.it
Each year the Medieval town of Viterbo in Lazio renews the festivities in honour of its Holy Patron. The Trasporto della Macchina di Santa Rosa, a procession which takes place in the evening of September 3 to commemorate the relocation of the body of Saint Rosa from the Church of Santa Maria del Poggio to the church of San Damiano (the Sanctuary of Santa Rosa). The Macchina di Santa Rosa is a gigantic structure, nearly 30 metres high, which is carried through the streets by a large team of strong local men. Contests are held to select designs for the Macchina, which is replaced every five years.
www.facchinidisantarosa.itPALIO DI ASTI in Asti, Piedmont
Asti, Piedmont, September 17-20, 2015
One of the oldest Palio’s in Italy this colourful event sees 21 contestants relive the ancient tradition of the Palio in the historic centre of this charming Piedmont town, famous for its sparkling wine, the Asti spumante. In the days preceding the race, visitors can enjoy many collateral and preparatory events: the Palio of the Flagwavers, the colourful flea market, the trials of the jockeys on the
field. The Palio itself is a difficult challenge requiring all the participants’ strength and skill, passion and courage as only one of them will win possession of the crimson banner with the coat of
arms of the city and the image of its Patron Saint.
www.palio.asti.itTHE FESTIVAL OF “MADONNA DELLA SALUTE”Venice, November 21, 2015
The Festival of Health is perhaps the less spectacular of Venice festivities. It is an event
dedicated to the Madonna in thanksgiving for her intercession which put an end to the plague which struck Venice between the years 1630-1631.
www.comune.venezia.it
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