“What’s the weather like in Rome in October?” Without a doubt, this is one of the most googled questions when it comes to deciding when it’s the perfect time for a trip to the Eternal City. And you won’t be disappointed by the answer as Google will tell you that October is probably the very best month to visit Rome. All thanks to a typical Roman weather phenomenon: l’ottobrata romana.
This year we have been spoilt with such a typical Roman October, which “stimulates the desire to go out and discover all the beauties of the city”
But what is it, exactly? The official website of the city of Rome has devoted a whole article to it. It says that the term l’ottobrata romana refers to a very favourable climatic condition during the month of October, which should be rather harsh and cold after the summer and ahead of the winter. Such a typical day – on which you can hear the Romans enthusiastically shouting “l’ottobrata romana!” – is characterised by a clear blue sky, bright sunshine and the friendliest of breezes. And this year – apart from a few days of clouds and two showers during the whole month – we have been spoilt with such a typical Roman October, which “stimulates the desire to go out and discover all the beauties of the city”, according to the author of the article.
They enjoyed the perfect weather: finally, it was no longer so incredibly hot, but also still far from cold
But strictly speaking, l’ottobrata romana is much more than a meteorological phenomenon. The original meaning of the word ottobrata refers to a celebration that took place in the Capitoline countryside to mark the end of the grape harvest. Until just a century ago, the Romans used to go to a meadow or a park for this October feast. A large tablecloth was spread out and people sat down in the high grass to enjoy the food and wine they brought. But above all, they enjoyed the perfect weather: finally, it was no longer so incredibly hot, but also still far from cold.
Vineyards cleverly respond to this desire to go out by offering plenty of wine tastings and tours among the vines (tip!)
Unfortunately, that historic October festival no longer exists. The Roman tradition faded away after the national unification of the country. Nowadays, the term l’ottobrata romana refers almost exclusively to the “atmospheric phenomenon of a particularly pleasant and suggestive mix of temperatures that still evokes feelings of the good season”. But this does not mean that people do not know how to enjoy this lovely weather nowadays. On the contrary. The many parks in Rome are full of people having a stroll, and vineyards cleverly respond to this desire to go out by offering plenty of wine tastings and tours among the vines (tip!).
Leaving the house without a jacket, but also without sweat drops beading on your forehead
In any case, I have enjoyed it to the fullest this year. Leaving the house without a jacket, but also without sweat drops beading on your forehead. Wearing my oversized sunglasses by default. Losing count of the number of times you tell each other how extremely nice the weather is. Finally being able to wear my elegant suede boots again. Having my cappuccino in the morning sun. Endlessly strolling through the city and having to make your way through the crowds of tourists who make the city come alive again. The breath-taking evening light of a setting sun that first colours the Eternal City a soft pink, gets more orange by the minute and eventually sets the city ablaze with its last strengths before disappearing below the horizon.
It is with feelings of regret that I will be retrieving my umbrella from somewhere in the back of my closet, where I hid it over five months ago
And now we already find ourselves in the very last week of the month. A glance at the weather forecasts suggests that as November approaches, the glorious sunny days will disappear. The October sun will make way for the stormy nature of November. It is with feelings of regret that I will be retrieving my umbrella from somewhere in the back of my closet, where I hid it over five months ago. But deep inside, I know not to worry, because the ottabrata romana is a phenomenon that always comes back, a given fact, just like August’s heat and November’s rain. So, you better get out your calendar for next year already and circle the month October with a red marker. Because by now, you know exactly where to go.
Source: visitareroma.info