Buon Ferragosto

 

Ferragosto is the 15th August and for Italians marks the beginning of the summer holiday fortnight. Over time this has become more flexible, but still many shops will be closed for two weeks. Almost all will be closed today as it is a public holiday.

This date has many significant markers. It originates from Emperor Augustus who created a day of rest. In the Catholic Church it is the celebration of the Assumption of Mary and even Mussolini gave the working classes a couple of days holiday on this date.

For us it is our last day in beautiful and exciting Volterra.

We spent most of the day preparing for the next move and catching up with our journals. Mid afternoon we went to see the Porta all' Arco, the gate that has an Eruscan base. From there we wandered some lanes we hadn't seen, then we checked on the car. It is in a public parking area about 10 minutes from our apartment.

It may have been a public holiday but Volterra was absolutely packed today. Most of the tourism related shops were open. After Covid losses in the last two years I guess they can't give away opportunities.  As I said earlier, they are more flexible nowadays.

A pretty area away from the tourist zone.

Our last night in Volterra, and with thunderstorms threatening, we had dinner at Il Giardinetto. I had a very nice ravioli with gorgonzola and walnuts followed by a chocolate and marscapone dessert. A good end to the week. 

It says something about Volterra that with so many restaurants it is amazing that you always need to book a table.