La Passeggiata

As day softens into dusk in Italy, something in the air seems to tug people from their homes and workplaces to participate in one of the enduring traditions of Italian life: la passeggiata. This evening promenade, generally between 5 and 8 PM, occurs in virtually ever Piazza and main street of the City.
During the week, the passeggiata marks the end of the workday and offers a moment of sociability before the family dinner. On Saturday and Sunday, the passeggiata often becomes the main social event of the day, when entire families take to the streets.
The most important thing, it seems, is simply seeing and being seen (vedere e farsi vedere). In many districts people clearly dress to impress or at least to show how well life has been treating them.

History

some claim when their ancestors first came to the site of The City they finished construction at 5pm and so for three hours strolled around admiring their handy work and socialising.
The army claims this was historically the time they would re-enter The City after battles, and make a 3 hour honour lap of major landmarks before returning to camp, giving the slaves and camp followers time to make dinner, work up an appetite in soldier and show off the spoils of war when most people are leaving work.
One king once claimed that it was everyones way of trying to gain his favor, as they thought he could see them even though he was in his palace, this is widely regarded as false however.

Participants

It is an informal evening event, where anyone who is anyone participates. if a certain noble, merchant or high ranking officer is not seen then the gossip mill will begin to speculate why, often wildly inaccurately.

Observance

between 5-8 in the evening, with Friday and Saturday being the musts for even the most antisocial and secretive.

Primary Related Location

The City of Capital