La Historia de Italia

ITALY

Geography

Italy, slightly larger than Arizona, is a long peninsula shaped like a boot, surrounded on the west by the Tyrrhenian Sea and on the east by the Adriatic. It is bounded by France, Switzerland, Austria, and Slovenia to the north. The Apennine Mountains form the peninsula's backbone; the Alps form its northern boundary. The largest of its many northern lakes is Garda (143 sq mi; 370 sq km); the Po, its principal river, flows from the Alps on Italy's western border and crosses the Lombard plain to the Adriatic Sea. Several islands form part of Italy; the largest are Sicily (9,926 sq mi; 25,708 sq km) and Sardinia (9,301 sq mi; 24,090 sq km).

HISTORY

The migrations of Indo-European peoples into Italy probably began about 2000 B.C. and continued until 1000 B.C. From about the 9th century B.C. until it was overthrown by the Romans in the 3rd century B.C. , the Etruscan civilization was dominant. By 264 B.C. , all Italy south of Cisalpine Gaul was under the leadership of Rome. For the next seven centuries, until the barbarian invasions destroyed the western Roman Empire in the 4th and 5th centuries A.D. , the history of Italy is largely the history of Rome. From 800 on, the Holy Roman Emperors, Roman Catholic popes, Normans, and Saracens all vied for control over various segments of the Italian peninsula. Numerous city-states, such as Venice and Genoa, whose political and commercial rivalries were intense, and many small principalities flourished in the late Middle Ages. Although Italy remained politically fragmented for centuries, it became the cultural center of the Western world from the 13th to the 16th century.

Italy for thousands of years had been regarded as the land of delicacy, taste, valor and the spirit that celebrates life in all its paradoxes. This spirit of celebration championed Italy as the land of festivals. Italy boasts more festivals than the number of days in a calendar year. Here we have chosen a handful of the most popular festivals in Italy incorporating different aspects of Italian life and tradition, food, wine, music, sports, art, religious life, social life and political tradition. Every Italian festival has a long tradition that is rooted into some historic events or social, political or cultural aura of yesteryears. If you are planning to travel Italy during any of this festival mentioned below, don’t miss to participate in traditional cultural events and happening.

Epiphany and Befana

Although this festival is now marked with a national holiday, nowhere it is observed with such spirit of festivity as in Rome. According to Christian tradition the festival is held on the 12th day of Christmas when children celebrates the arrival of the holy witch Befana. In The Vatican City the festival takes a particularly colorful shape with thousands of people in their medieval dress head towards the Vatican. Many churches display nativity scenes from their collections and even celebrate the day with live performances of nativity scenes. For its wide ranging religious significance it is widely regarded as one of the top festivals in Italy.

Festa Della Sensa

Besides Rome the political importance, cultural influence and wealth of Venice is well known throughout the historical periods and still this typical boat parade festival is a strong testimony of that. This festival symbolically celebrates the political, cultural and social expansion of Venetian republic. The main event which is called ‘Wedding with the Sea’ is really a grand view to observe when artistically designed heritage boats parade on to the sea starting from the bay at St Mark’s square. The parade culminates in throwing a golden ring at the sea. It portrays symbolically the blessing of the St Peter of the castle and Elena on the Doge of Venice is carried up to the sea and thus in turn signifies the expansion of the Venetian state. Political religious symbolism apart this festival showcases the sportive spirit of the water locked city of Venice in full splendor. With colorful Venetian style rowing boats and festive Sensa market this is the time to be in Venice. The festival takes place on the 19th and 20th of May every year.

L’Ardia di San Constantino

Throughout Italy even since the Roman era horse racing takes the shape of a festival, but this event which takes place in Sardiana in July has a historical tradition that goes back to the famous Constantine and is one of the most well known horse riding festivals in Italy. The race symbolically

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