The word looks like it means “iron August,” but it comes from the Latin Feriae Augusti — the rest, or holiday, of Augustus. The first Roman emperor formalized it in 18 BC, folding older late-summer harvest festivals into a stretch of paid rest for laborers and farm animals alike. Two thousand years later the date still empties Italian cities and fills the beaches, which is exactly why it earns a place here as Guide № 002 in The Love Italy Guide series.
In this guide
- Where the Word Comes From
- How Italians Actually Spend the Day
- The Fascist-Era Day Trips
- What This Means for Visitors
- Regional Traditions and Food
- Myths Worth Retiring
- Frequently Asked Questions
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