I ma wondering if Ferroagosto will affect us in our travels through Tuscany this summer ( San Gimingnano, Siena, Lucca, Florence, Monntecatini, Cortona...)

Grazie Mille,

Lisa

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Kim,

It depends. Many things will be closed on the 15th for sure (the actual day of ferragosto) but if you come to Siena, everything will be open. I think we are the only city that doesn't celebrate it. But then we have other things on our mind, namely the Palio which is on the 16th. The Selva, my contrada, celebrates our feast day on the 15th so we have our baptisms of new contradaioli. Much joy that day. We also bring a candle (5 feet long) to the Madonna at the duomo.

We (the Selva) are not racing in the July Palio this year but we are in August and I can't wait.

Tanti auguri a La Selva!

I was under the impression that "ferroagosto" was month-long, not just a single day...am I mistaken? Does the fifteenth mark its start? My Sicilian friends tell me the whole island basically goes into vacation-mode for August's entirety and many restaurants and shops close. This is not true for Tuscany? I am happy Siena will be active. I hope you can stand another tourist in your splendid midst

Ciao,
Lisa

Lots of things will be closed for vacations, but Ferragosto is one day. It wouldn't be my first choice for an Italian holiday, but things do go on, and life is possible. The Italians are traveling during this time, so there's a bit more pressure on services.

Like Decobabe says, Ferragosto is only one day.

I found that, despite the holiday, many restaurants and even some businesses are open that day. There are some closings, but it's not as if the entire province, or country shut down at all.