All Saints' Day in Italy

All Saints’ Day, also known as Festa di Tutti i Santi, is both a religious and public holiday in Italy on November 1 every year. It collectively celebrates all of the Catholic saints.

The Catholic saints are remembered in Italy on All Saints' Day.

©iStockphoto.com/Mary Lane

What do people do?

Tutti i Santi, or La festa di Ognissanti, is a day when people visit family and friends and exchange gifts and good will to one another. If Italians have the same name as a saint, it is a special day for them too.

Public life

All Saints’ Day is a nationwide public holiday in Italy. Organizations and businesses that are closed include:

• Government offices.
• Post offices.
• Banks.
• Schools and other educational institutions.

Transport options, such as taxis, rail services between major cities and major long-route bus lines, are available but travelers are advised to check first with the local transport authorities.

Background

According to some sources, the idea for All Saints' Day goes back to the 4th century when the Greek Christians kept a festival on the first Sunday after Pentecost (in late May or early June) in honor of all martyrs and saints. It is celebrated in Italy and many other countries worldwide.

Symbols

Statues, images and icons in the image of the different saints are seen in many Catholic churches in Italy.

About All Saints' Day in other countries

All Saints' Day Observances

Related holidays

• St. Stephen's Day ―Thursday, December 26, 2013
• The Feast of St. Peter and St. Paul (Rome) ―Saturday, June 29, 2013
• The Feast of St Mark ―Thursday, April 25, 2013
• The Feast of St. John (Florence, Genoa, Turin) ―Monday, June 24, 2013
• The Feast of Saint Januarius (Naples) ―Thursday, September 19, 2013

Other holidays in November 2013 in Italy