Italian culture traditions: Carnivals and celebrated holidays in Italy

There are many celebrated holidays in Italy separate from the National holidays in Italy. In the ancient Roman Empire at one stage there were 182 celebrated holidays in Italy and Rome!
Today in the smaller towns of Italy you can find the most colorful carnivals.

Tufara in Molise re-enact the sacrificing/burning of a figure called "Carnevale" a huge straw puppet and a metaphor for all the sins of the population.

 





Nocera Tirinese in Calabria still practice medieval rituals and at Easter a few devotees flagellate themselves.
Spring is a time of rejuvenation and many towns throughout Italy celebrate with free theatrical shows of music and dance.

At Cocullo in Abruzzo they even celebrate with many snakes around the statue of St Dominic the Abbot who is the protector of snake bites. 

In Siena they celebrate the "Palio", arguably the most famous festival in Italy. On the 2nd July and 16th August bareback jockeys race around the main square of Siena in races with "no holds barred".

In Rome at Easter you have the famous marching of the cross from the Roman Colosseum to the Palatine on Good Friday.