When February arrives, the store shelves are filled with hearts, boxes of chocolates and bouquets of flowers. But from where did this tradition come? Is Valentine’s Day celebrated in the same way in all parts of the world? How is it celebrated in Italy?
Here we explain it to you!
Origin of Valentine's Day
Valentine’s Day has its origins in ancient Rome. The Romans celebrated the Lupercali, a pagan festival dedicated to fertility. In these, sacrifices were made where the wolf breastfed Romulus and Remus, founders of the city of Rome.
However, in the time of Pope Gelasius I, around the year 498, the celebration was Christianized and was given the name of a Christian saint, Saint Valentine. But who was St. Valentine?
St. Valentine was the bishop of Terni. He was beheaded (or, more correctly, executed) in 269. Some say that he married a Christian woman to a Roman man, when Christianity was persecuted. Others say that he married a soldier when it was not allowed to have a wife.
The legend also says that when Valentinus (who was not yet a saint at that time) was imprisoned, he had an affair with the jailer’s daughter. He wrote her love letters signed as “Your Valentine”. And so now, if you want to show your love on Valentine’s Day to your beloved, you have to bring your Shakespearean skills to the fore. Thank the bishop.
Where Valentine's Day is celebrated
Treviso
In this city of Northern Italy, they organize games for children and different activities. Among them, a curious parade of masked carriages.
Vico
In this city of Southern Italy, people decorate streets with oranges and laurel. Also, young couples drink orange juice to strengthen their eternal love.
Terni
Saint Valentin's city. Here, they celebrate Valentine's Day in a very special way. There are exhibitions, wine tastings, shows and guided tours.
Verona
Romeo and Juliet's city is a must-see at this time of the year. "If you love someone, bring him/her to Verona" they say. The city celebrates Valentine's Day by decorating the streets with hearts, concerts, a heart-shaped market in Piazza dei Signori, hearts raining down with messages of love, and so on. Come on, everything with a lot of heart.
Valentine's sweet: Baci Perugina
This bonbon is given as a gift especially at this time of the year, but what you didn’t know is that it was the product of a hidden love.
Luisa Spagnoli worked in a chocolate factory in Perugia (the Perugina). One day she had the idea of mixing her chocolate with the hazelnut leftovers from other elaborations. The owner of the chocolate factory, Giovanni Buitoni, who was also Luisa’s lover, named them “Baci” (kisses).
Inside the wrapping paper, Luisa added secret love messages addressed to Giovanni. They were so popular that this tradition was followed by incorporating love phrases inspired by illustrious characters.
If you can’t travel to Italy on Valentine’s Day, we recommend a trip through Italian dishes that you will find at Rossini Restaurant.
Celebrate your romantic dinner at our restaurant in Plaza Real.