25th of April in Italy: what is celebrated and why

The 25th of April is Liberation Day in Italy. In many cities, there are commemoration events, and it is one of the most popular holidays in Italy. It allows the start of spring holiday weekends as a public holiday: many Italians take advantage of it to spend a few days at the seaside, mountains, or art city.

The 25th of April is one of Italy's most important historical dates: it is the anniversary of the liberation of Italy from the fascist regime and the Nazi occupation on the 25th of April 1945.

It is called Liberation Day and was proposed and confirmed as a national holiday by Alcide De Gasperi, Prime Minister, from the 22nd of April 1946. He issued a lieutenant's decree that read: 'In celebration of the total liberation of Italian territory, the 25th of April 1946 is declared a national holiday'.

It was an unforgettable day, and there are many reconstructions with photos and videos. Sandro Pertini's announcement is very famous: 'Citizens, workers! General strike against the German occupation, against the fascist war, for the salvation of our lands, our homes, our workshops. As in Genoa and Turin, confront the Germans with the dilemma: surrender or perish".

The 25th of April is a public holiday, and therefore all public offices are closed. Banks, the post office, town halls and other public bodies are closed, like schools and some shops.

In many towns, especially in those decorated for military valor for the liberation, events are organised to commemorate this occasion.

The most important event is in Rome: the solemn homage paid by the President of the Republic and the highest state officials to the Unknown Soldier, with the famous laying of the laurel wreath in memory of the fallen and missing in the war.

The 25th of April is one of the first holidays and one of the first long weekends of the year: the Italians take advantage of to go on holiday. Some people choose the sea or the mountains, and other citizens move from one city to another or prefer a weekend at the lake.

Many people do not work and therefore enjoy this special holiday. Many hotels at the seaside and in the mountains open on this holiday.

Each year, there are different ways to participate in the remembrance of this important historical day, from North to South, with solemn commemorations, marches, and various events.

April 25, 2025, in particular, marks the 80th anniversary of Italy’s Liberation, a symbolic and significant date. However, this year, the celebrations will be more subdued due to the national mourning declared for the death of Pope Francis, who passed away on April 21. Official ceremonies, such as the laying of a laurel wreath at the Altare della Patria, will still take place, but in a more reflective and respectful atmosphere.

Among the events organized to honor both Liberation Day and the legacy of the Pope, one highlight is the full-day gathering at Casa Cervi, running from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. This museum in Gattatico is dedicated to the core values of the Resistance and the efforts of the Cervi brothers in their fight against the fascist regime. Notable guests include 99 Posse and singer-songwriter Vinicio Capossela.

In Rome, April 25, 2025, will unfold among symbolic places and intense atmospheres, in a journey that passes through memory and intertwines with the present.

The day will begin with the morning ceremony at the Fosse Ardeatine, one of the most moving moments and an occasion to remember those who gave their lives in opposition to Nazi-Fascism. In the afternoon, the Liberation March will take place—a procession that will move through the city’s streets to Porta San Paolo, where in 1943 citizens and partisans fought against the Nazi occupation.

Another key location in Rome will be the San Lorenzo district, which will turn into an open-air laboratory of music, debates, and outdoor performances. Initially, over 80 events were scheduled across three days, but the program will undergo a significant change: the activities on April 26 will be cancelled, as the funeral of Pope Francis will take place in Rome on that day.

As for other Italian cities, the heart of the celebrations in Milan will be Piazza Duomo, where the procession, starting at 2:30 p.m. from Porta Venezia, will arrive around 4 p.m.

In Turin, the day will begin with a moment of remembrance at the Cimitero Monumentale, where the city's partisans will be honored. At 10:00 a.m., the traditional Liberation Day march will set off from Corso Siccardi, making its way through the city center to the evocative setting of Piazza Castello.

Florence will also do its part, with public libraries hosting meetings, readings, and events that tell the story of Liberation in an open and participatory way.

In Naples, the gathering will take place in Piazza Pacichelli, in the San Giovanni a Teduccio neighborhood, for a commemoration that ties partisan memory to local history. In the city, April 25 will also be an opportunity to visit the Royal Palace and the Pignatelli Museum free of charge, as they join the ministry's initiative dedicated to state-run cultural sites.

Different events, but all driven by the same spirit: to remember, year after year, that freedom is not a given, but the result of collective struggle and shared commitment.