Valentine’s Day In Italy

🎶When the moon hits your eyes like a big pizza pie….That’s Amoreeeee..🎶 Love, whether you love to love it or love to hate it, every February 14th, you won’t be able to escape it… especially in some parts of Italy. Valentine’s Day in Italy is romance at its finest, after all the Holiday itself originated there, quite arguably the most romantic place on earth….

Valentine’s Day in Italian is “Giorno di San Valentino”. Deriving from a Roman Empire holiday, celebrated on February 14th meant to celebrate Juno, the Goddess representing women and marriage.

As time progressed, Valentine’s in Italy was celebrated by couples in the form of taking walks in gardens surrounding the cities of Italy and spending time outdoors taking in the beginning formation of Spring approaching and a new season close enough to touch but not quite. 

There is also a tale which depicts St. Valentine as a priest who married couples during times of war thus defying the Roman emperor. Legend has it that the priest and was then sentenced to death on February 14th, later named a saint, Saint Valentine.

Whether it was to celebrate an approaching season, a deity, or a defying priest, the original purpose of “La Festa Degli Innamorati” (The festival for Lovers as the Italians refer to it) has certainly switched gears and is now romanticized into a celebration of love for all the special some ones in your life❤️

Valentine’s Day, The Italian Way

As in most holidays, each region in Italy celebrates in their own way. For example, if you are from some regions in the South of Italy, February 14th may be more simple. A small chocolate, a simple bouquet of flowers, or a hand written note, but not much more. However, in a place like Verona, celebrations include concerts in the city center, heart lanterns posted through the city and celebrations in restaurants with specialty “love potion” cocktails for those who wish to celebrate outside of their home. I mean, we would expect nothing less in the city that birthed the tale of Romeo & Juliette. 

Lovers in Italy

If traveling near Genoa, you won’t want to miss the “Lovers in Camogli” festival with specialty markets that sell mostly items dedicated solely to lovers in love. They also have poetry competitions through the town and a place to write your name together with your sweethearts name on a heart to tie on a fishing net by the harbor, sending those love vibes and good intentions out to sea and beyond.

Valentine’s Day in Italy has no doubt evolved since the days of Juno and is now officially the most noted day when couples get engaged.

Who, more than the Italians, with their picturesque surroundings and already present romantic backdrops, would know more about how to romanticize a day meant for love. 

For the love of food

Italy is the home of love & romanticism. The food, the language, the scenery….. it all inspires and exudes love with a pinch of magic. Whether YOU celebrate a small gift is always a nice sentiment for a friend, or significant other! The best way to show your amore love? Make them dessert!

Here is our recipe for chocolate covered strawberries. Simple, delicious and romantic, its the staple dessert for your amore! Sugar cookies more your thing? These Valentine’s Day Heart Shaped Sugar Cookies with hazelnut spread are sooooo good and a MUST TRY! (you will need heart shaped cookie cutters for this one) Serve your dessert on these elegant dessert plates that can also double as an extra present for your sweetheart! Want to really impress them? Then try our Chocolate Lava Cake recipe! DELIZIOSO!!!!

May your “Giorno Di San Valentino” be sweet, loving and delicious. Like our content and recipes? Visit us at www.thebestofitalian.com!