What are the things to do on San Lorenzo in Italy? The magical night of 10 August, during which the Perseids can be seen, is approaching.
Would you like to know what to do in San Lorenzo night in Italy? The night of San Lorenzo in Italy, rich in history, magic, legends, and symbolisms, is approaching: for that day, on August 10th, you can see from the Earth the astronomical phenomenon of the Perseids. They are a meteor shower that the Earth goes through every year during the summer period.
The meteor shower usually arrives at the end of July and lasts until mid-August with peaks of visibility between the 10th and 12th of the month. Concerning what to do in San Lorenzo night in Italy, in those days you can observe almost a hundred light trails on average every hour, really a lot!
To observe them at their best it would be better to opt for places away from city lights, or if this is not possible even urban parks not too illuminated and predisposed to night observations.
Are you looking for any suggestions about what to do in San Lorenzo night in Italy? These are a series of places in Italy where, far from the lights and noise of the city, we have observed shooting stars exciting together with you.
The night of San Lorenzo in Italy: the night of shooting stars!
The night of San Lorenzo in Italy is a much-awaited event every year and is celebrated on 10 August. Known as the night of shooting stars, it is characterised by the Perseid meteor shower, which offers an extraordinary celestial spectacle visible in much of the world. The Perseids are fragments of the comet Swift-Tuttle that, upon coming into contact with the Earth's atmosphere, burn up, producing the characteristic light trails. The name 'Perseids' derives from the fact that the point in the sky from which they appear to come is in the constellation Perseus.
This night brings with it many traditions and popular beliefs. In Italy, it is believed that making a wish while seeing a shooting star can bring good luck. Parties and gatherings are often organised to observe the sky together. To best enjoy the spectacle, it is advisable to find a dark place, away from city lights, and bring a blanket or chair to be comfortable. It takes about 20-30 minutes for your eyes to fully adjust to the darkness, which improves your vision of the meteors. It is also useful to check the weather forecast to make sure the sky is clear.
Many cities and astronomical associations organise special events with telescopes and expert guides to help recognise constellations and meteors. Comet Swift-Tuttle has an orbit of about 133 years around the Sun, and Perseid meteors can reach speeds of about 59 kilometres per second. The night of San Lorenzo in Italy is a magical time to look up to the sky and marvel at the beauty of the universe, combining science and tradition in an unforgettable experience.
Things to do in San Lorenzo in Italy
The night of San Lorenzo, celebrated on 10 August, is a magical and evocative event throughout Italy, characterised by the observation of shooting stars. First and foremost, stargazing is at the heart of the Night of San Lorenzo. The Perseids, a meteor shower visible annually, offer an extraordinary spectacle. To best enjoy the spectacle, it is advisable to go to places far from city lights, such as beaches, mountains or the countryside. Bringing a blanket or a comfortable chair, one can spend hours watching the shooting stars, wishing under the night sky. In addition, many Italian cities organise local events and festivals to celebrate this night. Festivals, festivals, open-air concerts and fireworks shows are just some of the activities one can find, offering an opportunity to immerse oneself in the local culture and enjoy the festive atmosphere.
Astronomical evenings, organised by local associations, allow you to observe the sky with telescopes and receive explanations from expert guides on celestial phenomena, ideal for those who wish to deepen their astronomical knowledge. Organising an outdoor dinner, be it a picnic on the beach, a dinner in the garden or a barbecue in the mountains, is another great idea to celebrate St Lawrence. Many restaurants offer special menus for the occasion. Strolling through Italian villages on the night of San Lorenzo, illuminated only by stars and lanterns, offers a magical experience, often enriched by night-time guided tours revealing local history and legends. Finally, for nature lovers, night hikes, mountain or coastal walks, equipped with a torch and a light jacket, are an adventurous and unforgettable way to experience this night.
Whether you choose to stargaze, attend local events or enjoy a dinner under the sky, the night of San Lorenzo offers many opportunities to create unforgettable memories.
Here are 10 places we recommend to make this night even more special.
10. San Lorenzo, the night of shooting stars: Lake Castel San Vincenzo
Exploring the most isolated places, far from the lights of the residential areas, you will discover particularly evocative corners, which are ideal destinations and some enchanting indications to add to the list of what to do in San Lorenzo night in Italy.
We are on the shores of a beautiful lake in the province of Isernia in Molise, one of the smallest regions of Italy, second only to Valle d'Aosta. The lack of large cities in the surroundings significantly decreases light pollution and makes night vision much more comfortable.
It is possible to get lost in the brightness of the vault of heaven from this magical place on the shores of the lake, located in the westernmost part of the region towards the borders with Abbruzzi, Lazio, and Campania.
9. Things to do in San Lorenzo in Italy: Brembate di Sopra (BG)
This is a small town of only 7 thousand inhabitants in Val Brembana, in the province of Bergamo that has become very important for astronomy.
Among what to do in San Lorenzo night in Italy, the presence of a large astronomical observatory as well as laboratories for the study and dissemination of science make this country one of the places where you can best observe the passage of comets with the help of the latest technology.
8. What to do on the night of 10 August: On top of Mount Etna
Our tour, devoted to the discovery of what to do in San Lorenzo night in Italy, leads us to the peak of the highest volcano in Europe. We are talking about Mount Etna. It is located in Sicily, not too far from the city of Catania. Moreover, it is famous for its spectacular eruptions, very frequent, which make it an extremely fascinating active volcano.
A good hike is always possible, perhaps accompanied by an experienced person. So why not do it on the brightest night of the year? Watching the stars from the top of a volcano is definitely an extraordinary experience, but remember to leave covered because the cold will be felt even in August.
Let's find out together how to get to Etna in our in-depth study.
Find out more❯7. Where to see shooting stars: Campo Imperatore Observatory
We are in a truly spectacular place from the point of view of the landscape, to include in the list regarding what to do in San Lorenzo night in Italy.
The Campo Imperatore plateau is located in the Abruzzo mountains and sometimes it is called "little Tibet". This says a lot about the extraordinary nature that can be observed in these areas.
For the night of San Lorenzo it is also possible to visit the giant astronomical observatory, a real excellence of the area in the field of research and scientific dissemination.
6. Things to do in San Lorenzo in Italy: Boscoincittà (MI)
Are you in Milan and can't move from the city this year? Keep on reading our guide and follow our advice about what to do in San Lorenzo night in Italy.
You could try to watch the stars from the park Boscoincittà, which covers about 110 hectares of land, in the western suburbs and includes woods, glades, streams, even a small lake and an old farmhouse.
Of course, it is not like observing in a particularly isolated place, but here the light pollution in the context of the largest metropolis in Italy is definitely limited.
5. Night of 10 August in Italy: Val di Sole (TN)
Are you curious to know what to do in San Lorenzo night in Italy?
Nestled among the mountains there is a perfect place for those who want to admire the stars: we are talking about Val di Sole. Here too, several astronomical tourism associations have identified this place as one with a very low light impact, which makes it perfect for nighttime stargazing.
The towns of Dimaro or the medieval village of Ossana are really perfect for this type of naked-eye activity: from them, it is easy to take spectacular photos of the sky and architecture immersed in the night.
4. Monte Amiata, between Siena and Grosseto
Also here, as in the areas of Italy previously mentioned, there is a low interference of city lights and you can enjoy the right combination of man and nature.
In fact, there are several villages in the valley of Monte Amiata that offer characteristic events about the stars, poems read in the moonlight, or even group contemplation on the brightest night of the year, that of San Lorenzo.
3. The night of shooting stars: The Aosta Valley
Finally, we suggest an entire region where you can go stargazing, because the smallest region of Italy, mostly mountainous and with Aosta as its largest city (33 thousand inhabitants), is truly the natural astronomical observatory of Italy.
According to Fundacion Starlight , the valley of Saint-Barthélemy, in Valle d'Aosta, is among the best places in the world to see the stars. During the night of San Lorenzo if you are nearby, run here.
2. Night of San Lorenzo, 10 August: Sasso di Castalda (Pz)
Every year in Sasso di Castalda many people gather to contemplate together the starry sky and to spend the evening of August 10 in an original way, through a suggestive excursion in the woods towards the top of Mount Arioso.
Here the view will be practically double, towards the sky and towards the valley and you can feel the beauty pervading every part of your body.
1. Lake Bracciano (RM)
Looking at the stars from a lake really helps to reconcile with nature and the cosmos, and also you can escape the summer heat, especially for those who are in Rome or Lazio in general, this is always a panacea.
The regional natural park of Bracciano-Martignano, a protected area of Lazio, sees this characteristic lake of volcanic origin light up at night among the stars. To miss it would be a real shame, wouldn't it?
When do we celebrate the night of San Lorenzo on the 9th or 10th?
The Night of St Lawrence is traditionally celebrated on 10 August. Although the Perseid meteor shower can be visible for several days, the peak of activity is generally around 12 August. However, the night of 10 August is specifically dedicated to the memory of St Lawrence and is celebrated with shooting star observation.
What day is the night of San Lorenzo?
The night of St Lawrence is 10 August. This day is dedicated to the commemoration of St Lawrence, a Christian martyr, and coincides with the time when the Perseid meteor shower, often visible in the August night sky, can be observed.
Why is St Lawrence celebrated?
St Lawrence is celebrated on 10 August in commemoration of his martyrdom in 258 AD. St Lawrence was a deacon of the Church of Rome, known for his charity towards the poor and his loyalty to the Church. According to tradition, he was sentenced to death and burnt alive on a gridiron during the persecutions against Christians ordered by Emperor Valerian.
The feast of St Lawrence is therefore a tribute to his devotion, his sacrifice and his role as protector of the poor. The celebration is particularly heartfelt in Italy, where Saint Lawrence is venerated with religious ceremonies and popular festivals.
What happens on the night of San Lorenzo?
During the night of San Lorenzo, 10 August, many people gather outdoors to watch the spectacle of shooting stars, known as Perseids. This meteor shower, visible in the August night sky, is particularly intense around this date.
Tradition has it that people make wishes while watching the falling stars, the so-called 'tears of San Lorenzo'. In many places, events and gatherings, both secular and religious, are organised to celebrate this magical night. In addition to observing the sky, liturgical celebrations in honour of Saint Lawrence are held in some places, with processions and masses.
In Italy, this night is a special occasion to enjoy the beauty of the summer sky, often in the company of friends and family, in places away from city lights to get a clearer view of the stars.
We hope we have managed to advise you what to do on the night of San Lorenzo, 10 August, by describing what happens in some locations in Italy.
