15 August is one of the most eagerly awaited dates of the Italian summer. Towns empty out, tables are laid out in the open air, people head out of town, enjoy family lunches and spend their days in the countryside: Mid-August<\/strong><\/a> It has become so deeply ingrained in our customs that it seems like a timeless tradition. And, in a sense, it really is. Its origins date back over two thousand years and tell a surprising story, in which ancient Rome, Christian tradition and that distinctive Italian way of celebrating summer through conviviality all come together.<\/p>\n Also in Emilia-Romagna<\/strong>, Ferragosto retains a special charm. Amidst rolling hills, village hamlets, lavishly laid tables and traditional specialities, 15 August becomes an opportunity to slow down and rediscover the pleasure of being together.<\/p>\n The name \u2018Ferragosto\u2019 comes from Latin August Holidays<\/em><\/strong>, that is, the Feast of Augustus. The festival was established by Emperor Augustus in 18 BC as a period of rest and celebration following the toil of agricultural work. It formed part of a time of year already marked by numerous festivals dedicated to the end of the harvests and to rural life. It was therefore a time to take a break from work in the fields, accompanied by festivities and celebrations involving different sections of the population.\u00a0It is curious to think that, more than two thousand years on, the idea behind the festival has, in some ways, remained the same: to take a break from work, slow down and devote time to rest and socialising.<\/p>\n The ancient Feriae Augusti did not originally correspond to a single day. Over the centuries, the tradition became intertwined with the Christian calendar, and 15 August became the date on which the Assumption of Mary is celebrated. Religious tradition and popular customs thus came to overlap, giving rise to the Ferragosto festival we know today.<\/p>\n How did the tradition of the Ferragosto outing come about?\u00a0<\/strong>Another tradition deeply rooted in the Italian Ferragosto celebrations is that of the day trip<\/strong>. Throughout the 20th century, and particularly during the 1930s, popular railway initiatives helped to make short journeys and trips to tourist destinations accessible to a wider section of the population.\u00a0This cemented the custom of spending the day away from the city: at the seaside, in the mountains, on the shores of a lake or in the tranquillity of the countryside.<\/p>\n A tradition that continues to this day and makes Ferragosto one of the best times of the year to explore lesser-known villages, hills and regions.<\/p>\n The Ferragosto lunch and the joy of being together: <\/strong>If there is one thing that almost all Italian interpretations of Ferragosto have in common, it is undoubtedly the table. In Emilia-Romagna, the spirit of togetherness takes on an even greater significance. Lunch becomes a moment to be savoured without haste, accompanied by local produce and recipes that reflect the region\u2019s character.\u00a0Parmesan cheese<\/strong><\/a>, cured meats from Emilia, fresh pasta, Lambrusco and Traditional Balsamic Vinegar of Reggio Emilia PDO<\/strong><\/a> They form part of a culinary heritage in which food is not merely something to be tasted, but a true expression of local culture.<\/p>\n A Ferragosto away from the most crowded destinations: <\/strong>It\u2019s not all about beaches and major holiday resorts. For those who\u2019d like to spend 15 August in a more peaceful setting, the Reggio Hills<\/strong> offer a fascinating alternative. Here, the day can begin with a walk in the countryside, continue with a visit to a village or a castle in the lands of Matilda, and end with a meal showcasing the flavours of Emilia.<\/p>\n Albinea, Quattro Castella, Canossa and the landscapes stretching towards the Apennines offer plenty of options for those looking to spend Ferragosto enjoying nature, culture and a slower pace of life.<\/p>\n Summer is also a particularly significant time in the life of a vinegar cellar. The heat in the attics aids the process of concentrating the product in the barrels and forms part of that long journey which, year after year, contributes to the creation of Traditional Balsamic Vinegar. A visit to a vinegar cellar therefore offers the chance to discover an aspect deeply rooted in Emilian culture: the value of patience.<\/p>\n A philosophy that seems to fit perfectly with the spirit of Ferragosto, a day on which to treat yourself to the luxury of taking a break and spending time with people, places and experiences.<\/p>\n Take home a taste of Emilia: <\/strong>A journey through Reggio Emilia\u2019s culinary traditions can continue even once you\u2019ve returned home. In the Borgo Balsamic Vinegar Shop<\/strong><\/a> You can discover a selection of products that tell the story of the history and culture of Balsamic Vinegar.<\/p>\n For those wishing to turn the Ferragosto holiday into a proper holiday exploring Emilia, the hills around Reggio Emilia offer an ideal setting for combining relaxation, cultural visits and food and wine experiences. The Residences of Borgo<\/strong><\/a>, set amongst the greenery of Albinea<\/strong><\/a>, offer guests the chance to stay in a place steeped in the history and traditions of the local area, a short distance from Reggio Emilia and the lands of Matilda of Canossa.<\/p>\n A different way to experience Ferragosto: at a leisurely pace, surrounded by nature and in the heart of the most authentic Emilia.<\/em><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Ferragosto in Emilia-Romagna tra convivialit\u00e0, natura e sapori del territorio, ma perch\u00e9 festeggiamo Ferragosto? Un viaggio dalle origini romane alla […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3011,"featured_media":158362,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"default","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"default","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"set","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[144],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-170036","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-eventi"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nWhere does the name \u2018Ferragosto\u2019 come from?<\/h3>\n
Why is Ferragosto celebrated on 15 August?<\/h3>\n
Ferragosto and Balsamic Vinegar: the value of time<\/h3>\n
A summer holiday in the hills around Reggio Emilia<\/h3>\n