Italy observes the standard set of European holidays, mixing up key Christian holidays with a few related to the creation of the country. The most important holiday is probably Ferragosto on August 15th, which marks the start of the summer break for most Italians. The major cities observe a regional holiday on the feast day of their patron saint.
Population: 59.55m Capital: Rome Calling Code: (39) Time Zone: +1 UTC Currency: Euro Language: Italian
Italy: Easter Sunday is the most important date in the Christian church. In the bible, it is the day when Mary Magdalene found that an empty tomb in the cave in which Jesus had been placed.
Venice: In 828, relics believed to be the body of St. Mark were stolen from Alexandria by two Venetian merchants with the help of two Greek monks and taken to Venice
Bologna: Saint Petronius was bishop of Bologna during the fifth century. He is a patron saint of the city. Born of a noble Roman family, he became a convert to Christianity and then a priest
Trieste: St Justus lived in Trieste in Roman times. As a Christian, he was sentenced to death by drowning for refusing to make sacrifices to the Roman gods
