If you weren’t already aware, Italy tends to come to a complete standstill during the month of August. Shops are shuttered. Cities become deserted. Families gather at the seaside or in the mountains and – when things aren’t tinder dry – mark the holiday with fireworks . We are, of course, talking about Ferragosto, the holiday that’s both Roman and Catholic in origin, celebrated throughout Italy on the 15th of the month as well as the weeks surrounding it.

The Origins

Emperor Augustus, who lent his name to the eighth month in the Gregorian calendar, created the holiday originally as a post-harvest rest and and celebrations: Feriae Augusti. There is no denying that August has always brought in soaring temperatures, so making the time for recuperation is important. Workers would wish a buon Ferragosto and receive a small monetary bonus in return. Today, we at The Watermill follow suit with our mini break from the season during this peak in the heat.

While initially these celebrations were at the start of the month, the Catholic Church pushed the date later to coincide with the Assumption of Mary. For those who are unaware, this date marks when the Madonna, Mary, ascended body and soul into heaven and ferragosto thereby joins the ranks of important holidays in Italy such as Natale (Christmas) and Pasqua (Easter).

How to Celebrate

Italians like to celebrate Ferragosto  with family barbecues or gatherings to watch the local fireworks. Some regions also hold specific events for the occasion: most famously the Palio dell’Assunta in Siena.  The Palio is a bareback horse race where the first steed to cross the finish line is the winner even if its rider has fallen off!

Classic Ferragosto Dishes

There is an emphasis on dishes which focus on the harvest of the season and don’t rely on sweating over a hot stove to execute. Such staples include:

• Panzanella – a ‘bread salad’ that you may recognise as part of our Sunday lunch offering.
• Pomodori al Riso – rice-stuffed tomatoes.
• Roast Squab – that’s pigeon to you and me.
• Anguria – otherwise known as watermelon, and often the centre piece to the table.

Wherever you are in the world, we hope you’ve managed to take some time to relax this August! And we look forward to welcoming our guests as we open the doors to the Watermill once more.