Romans love them, and their name gives away when they happen, but do we know what they are? Let’s take a look at our capital’s most loved autumnal tradition, the ottobrate.

In the good old days and up to the beginning of the 20th century, ottobrate were a serious affair. Dedicated to the celebration of the end ofvendemmia, they found their most ancient companion in the Bacchanals of the Romans (those who spoke Latin), festivities that celebrated Bacchus, the god of wine and sensual pleasures. People of all social classes would leave their homes either on Thursday or Sunday morning to travel fuori porta, that is, outside the city, to the beautiful Roman countryside.