Articles by Michelle Fabio

Fri, 01/17/2014 - 03:00
On 17 January, several Italian towns celebrate the Festa di Sant'Antonio Abate or Feast of Saint Anthony the Abbot, also known as Saint Anthony the Gr…
Wed, 08/26/2009 - 10:10
Words by Michelle Fabio - Pictures by Paoletta S. One of the best culinary skills I learned from my Italian-American grandmother was how to make gnoc…
Wed, 08/19/2009 - 04:36
Don't let the name fool you! Viterbo's La Macchina di Santa Rosa is no machine at all. No, the Macchina di Santa Rosa is actually a five-ton, 30-metr…
Wed, 08/05/2009 - 03:52
Every 5 August, La Madonna della Neve, known as Our Lady of the Snow or Our Lady of the Snows to English-speaking Catholics, is celebrated throughout…
Wed, 07/29/2009 - 09:31
Words by Michelle Fabio Picture by Infinitispazi / CC-BY-2.5 The first Sunday of August is reserved for the Quintana, a jousting competition capping…
Wed, 07/22/2009 - 09:43
Just off the coast of San Fruttuoso of Camogli in Liguria, 18 metres deep into the sea lies the "Cristo degli Abissi," Christ of the Abyss, a two and…
Wed, 07/15/2009 - 06:34
One of the biggest celebrations in all of Italy happens every third weekend of July in Venice: La Festa del Redentore.   As with many Italian feasts…
Tue, 07/07/2009 - 09:28
One of Sicily's largest and most celebrated festivals, Il Festino of Santa Rosalia, takes place in Palermo on 15 July; if you happen to be in the bust…
Wed, 07/01/2009 - 05:35
Words by Michelle Fabio We've talked about the Black Madonna of Sovereto, and now it's time for La Madonna della Bruna in Matera, Basilicata. You ma…
Wed, 06/24/2009 - 11:55
If you've always imagined your carpets made of vibrant, fresh-smelling flowers, you should check out the L'Infiorata festivals held throughout Italy d…
Wed, 06/17/2009 - 04:55
Calcio Storico Fiorentino, also known as Calcio in Costume, is a Florentine tradition dating back to the 15th century. Its origins aren't exactly clea…
Tue, 06/09/2009 - 05:59
In a small town 30 km outside of Naples, you’ll find Nola, famous for its late June Lily Festival known in Italy as the Festa dei Gigli. The celebrati…
Thu, 06/04/2009 - 09:21
The thirteenth of June marks the Feast of Saint Anthony of Padua, one of the most venerated saints throughout Italy. Celebrations include processions,…
Wed, 05/27/2009 - 03:25
Every year at the end of June, Pisa hosts the Gioco del Ponte, a giant tug-of-war type competition over the Arno River.   The Battle of the Bridge dat…
Wed, 05/20/2009 - 10:05
One of the most beloved Italian saints is St. Rita of Cascia, a native of Umbria who died in Cascia in 1456. Santa Rita is widely celebrated not only…
Wed, 05/13/2009 - 05:09
Every 15 May, on the eve of patron Sant’Ubaldo’s day, giant candles take over the streets of Gubbio in Umbria for the Festa dei Ceri; the festival dat…
Thu, 05/07/2009 - 11:44
The Festa di San Nicola, or Feast of Saint Nicholas, is one of the grandest celebrations in southern Italy, lasting for three days, the 7, 8, and 9 Ma…
Wed, 04/29/2009 - 05:38
The first of May is La Festa dei Lavoratori (Labor Day) throughout Italy, but in Cagliari, the day marks the beginning of the Festa di Sant’Efisio to…
Thu, 04/23/2009 - 12:04
Every 23 April, the citizens of Terlizzi in the province of Bari honour their patron, the Black Madonna of Sovereto, by transporting her sacred statue…
Wed, 04/15/2009 - 12:18
One of Italy's most celebrated holidays is 25 April, the Festa della Liberazione, or Liberation Day. The day marks the liberation of the Bel Paese by…