The culture of Italy is a complicated mixture with a large number of ethnic traditions. For many thousands of years, the territory of Italy was inhabited by different peoples who left their amazing traditions and culture. Some of the periods passed unnoticed for the history of Italy, but all tribes and nationalities contributed to the formation of culture and local ethnos of Italian residents.

Italy is the keeper of an endless number of cultural values. It could be a fallen column or a church created in the Baroque style- at every step, you are facing the history.

There, you are surrounded and immersed in history, as in no other country in the world. On Italian streets, you will see the graves of Etruscans, Greek temples or Roman ruins, which have become homes for cats. The baroque fountains and vaults coexist with the Moorish architectural style. In Italy, you can admire the splendor of Roman sculptures and Byzantine mosaics, the charming Madonna by Tiziano and Giotto and other equally notable masterpieces. Almost every city in Italy could be considered an open-air museum with a collection of centuries-old churches and cathedrals, uniquely beautiful castles and museums that have the richest collections of amazing works of sculpture and painting. Enjoy all the beauty of Italy with the help of car rental in Catania Airport Fontanarossa.

Speaking of the Italian inhabitants’ religion, it should be noticed that the Italians are very religious people. About 80% of the population of Italy profess Catholicism, but about a quarter of these people attend the mass regularly. Despite this, the days of Catholic saints’ veneration, the first communion and various religious holidays always gather huge crowds, and the magazine “Famiglia Christiana” enjoys constant popularity with Italian readers. Catholic family principles still play a leading role. In addition, the significant influence of the local episcopate and the Vatican is also felt. All church members have to pay “8% tax” in Italy.

However, extra strictness of morals, which is characteristic of faith in some other Christian countries, is not observed in sunny Italy. Italians celebrate both Christian and secular holidays. Traditionally, local holidays are celebrated as well. Each town and village has its own patron saint. Moreover, a day, dedicated to honoring ceremony of this saint, may, as well, be declared a non-working day. Therefore, before going to a particular locality, it is worthwhile to find out, whether a local holiday falls on these days. If the holiday is at the end of the working week, it may last for the whole weekend.

The brightest and most fabulous holiday in Italy is undoubtedly the Venice carnival, which is celebrated ten days each year in February. On all the streets, squares, canals, you can see a lot of people in carnival costumes and masks.

During the festival in Venice, all kinds of music programs are arranged and theatrical performances are organized.

In Italy, a lot of various entertainment events, exhibitions, festivals, fairs, other mass festivities are held regularly. The greatest interest and the influx of visitors are caused by the international Venice film festival and festival in Spoleto, dedicated to the art of opera and ballet.

As well as in other countries of the world, dances are one of the main elements of the culture in Italy. The Italian tarantella dance is the most recognizable feature in the country’s folklore. The name of the dance is translated as “spider”.

During the dance, the performers whirl clockwise in a circle. When the tempo of the music becomes much faster, the dancers also quickly change direction and begin to whirl in a counterclockwise direction.

Football in Italy is a real passion for almost all its residents. In this country, most of major cities have local football teams, and the most famous and experienced players are equated to the “national heroes.” On weekends, many football matches are jam packed by fans.

The Italian fashion is known to every person in the whole world. The average Italian resident believes that the feather in their bonnet is to wear clothes from famous designers such as Valentino, Gucci, Versace and Armani. Many boutiques from Rome to Milan are filled with clothes, shoes and accessories made by these fashionable Italian couturiers.

However, Italians are dressed in the most unusual styles, starting with the products of famous designers and ending with bright ethnic costumes. This diversity does not bother anyone. In restaurants and bars, you can meet people in dress-coats, as well as the visitors in biker leather jacket and ripped jeans. An old man in a suit from Versace could drive shabby FIAT.

Many habits of local residents may seem unusual for the tourists. For example, gallant and polite Italians in the crowd can create a real “crush”. However, this behavior is not considered rude at all. Local people are accustomed to a huge crowd of people in public transport and shopping centers, so they just try to force a passage through the crowd in every possible way. Many locals often use gestures during a conversation, but among the jet set, the gesticulation is considered a sign of bad manners.

Italians are not having solid breakfast, so, at most local cafes and restaurants guests will be offered only coffee and fresh buns for breakfast. The main meal is lunch, which consists of three dishes minimum. Italians could replace the dessert by cheese and a glass of wine, which is not forbidden to drink even at the peak of the working day. However, in general, the attitude to alcoholic beverages is more than restrained. The alcohol is drunk only during a meal.

Italian cuisine is recognized throughout the world. It originates from local traditions, which were formed during hundreds of years by professional chefs. Among the popular dishes are lasagne, spaghetti bolognese, pesto, mortadella, cannoli, marzipan and many other delicious dishes, which are inextricably connected with Italy.