Traditions of Italy

Traditions of Italy are some set of traditions, beliefs, values, and customs that belongs within the culture of Italian people. These traditions have influenced life in Italy for centuries, and are still practiced in our modern days. Italian traditions are directly connected to Italian's ancestors, which tells us even more about Italian history.

One of the most known and requested traditions is the Carnival of Venice , usually celebrated between the first and last week of February.
The city of Ivrea is greatly known for the Battle of Oranges this should refer to Napoleone 's acts. It's usually celebrated around the third week of February.
Every year Florence celebrates Easter in a very special way. An elaborate cart built in 1622, called "Brindellone", is pulled up to the Cathedral of the Tuscan capital by a pair of oxen adorned with garlands followed by a handful of drummers, flag-wavers and characters dressed in period costumes, as well as city officials and representatives of the clergy. At the end of the Mass, the archbishop starts a dove-shaped rocket (called, in fact, "Colombina") that makes the fireworks of the chariot shine, which if they light up smoothly, will guarantee, as tradition dictates , a lucky year.
The largest Italian music festival dedicated to traditional culture and, in particular, to the enhancement of Salento popular music, is the Salento's "Night of the Taranta". It takes place in various stages to end with a big concert that is held every year in Melpignano (LE), in the heart of the so-called Grecìa Salentina, and which attracts about two hundred thousand spectators ready to dance to the rhythm of the pizzica-pizzica, a similar popular dance to the typical tarantella of this area.
The "Sassi di Matera" are the backdrop to the largest living nativity scene in the world for the entire Christmas period. A large number of characters from all over Italy recreate scenes from the nativity of Jesus and the ancient lands of Palestine and Jerusalem, a city often compared to Matera. The path measures a total of about one kilometer and a series of grotto cavities welcome visitors in groups, serving as a location for the historical re-enactment of the most significant biblical passages related to the birth of the Lord.
January 6 is celebrated the Epiphany in Rome. It is a religious event that, as often happens, over time has become an opportunity to spend a day with the family, thanks also to the most popular and pagan figure of the Befana, who delivers gifts, candies or coal to the little ones. What soon became the "Festa della Befana" sees its epicenter in the capital and in particular in Piazza Navona, where many stalls with traditional socks full of sweets are housed.
February 2 is celebrated the "Festa di Sant'Agata" in Catania, Sicily. Three days of worship, devotion, folklore and traditions unique in the world. During the festivities, Catania hosts an immense crowd of devotees and onlookers (almost one million), who succeed in the street and in the squares; everything is in turmoil during preparations to honor the patron saint, the Virgin and Martyr of Catania.

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