The feast of Sant'Anna is a popular feast of the last century that reoccurs every 26th of July on the Island of Ischia. It's an explosion of fireworks, singing and music and a definite visit for spectators, who are lovers of the sea. The audience participates enthusiastically and crowds up on the rocks to see the sky illuminating with colours and light. A tradition, that has become an important touristic attraction for the people of the island.
Popular sources tell that on this day, the pregnant women would go in procession to worship an image of the Virgin Mary, that was placed in the chapel of the Cartaromana Bay, while being accompanied by a parade of fishing boats adorned with branches and flowers for the occasion. In 1932, a group of friends wanted to bring this antique tradition to life again, since being linked to the history and to this location and started a committee, which was to vote for the most beautiful one of the boats. The organization was then joined by a carpenter, who built floating platforms decorated with fantstic ornaments, and this led to the traditional procession on the water, the "Palio di Sant'Anna". Also this year, the preparations for the coming celebration of the saint have begun, in order to give life to the most important event on the island. Actual floating sceneries parade to compete in front of a jury consisting of famous personalities. Each one of these platforms is inspired by a theme linked to artists, musicians, writers and scholars that have someway mentioned their bond to this location in their pieces of art. The parade begins in the Cartaromana Bay, in Ischia Ponte, once known as Borgo di Celsa. The feast lasts a few days and takes place in the port of Aeanaria, an antique sunken city which was recently found during archeological excavation. The parade is commented by a narrator, who explains each platform while it passes by and competes to win the prestigious prize. The boats are artworks of great significance and are made by the local craftsmen who create stories based on themes chosen by the organizers of this extraordinary popular ritual. It is told that the fishermen, once the parade was finished, had the custom to eat the "Coniglio all'Ischitana" (a lokal dish with rabbit) and "parmigiana di melanzane" ( eggplant with Mozzarella cheese) directly on their boats. This tradition repeats itself nowadays and these dishes are still served on the boats.
Ischia and the fireworks at the feast of Sant'Anna
The celebration is divided into several parts. All begins in the Piazzale delle Alghe in Ischia Ponte. The first days are rich in musical events and initiatives for adults and children. On July 25, the procession of the pregnant women takes place and in the evening of the 26th, the parade of the allegoric floating platforms make the beginning of the " Feast at sea by the rocks of Sant'Anna". The show goes on with the fire on the Castello Aragonese, the castle, that became one of the symbols of the island of Ischia and is connected to it by a bridge. The fortress really leaves speechless. Next to the structure there is the Immacolata church, dating back to the 18th century and whose large cupula can be seen well all the way from Ischia Ponte. The manor is equipped with an elevator, services for the disabled and on the top with a panoramic terrace and a bar. During the night of the floating platform parade, the famous "lampetelle" light up the fortress built by Alfonso the 5th of Aragon, the Tower of Sant'Anna and the surrounding island, providing the spectators with a great emotional scenery. It is meant like a return to the past, to remember the siege of the castle by the English in 1809 under French command, during which the fortress was badly hit by cannonballs and was almost completely destroyed. While the castle is engulfed by the red smoke of the torches,to be a reminder of the fire, the song "Blue Dolphin" by Stephen Schlacks is played in the background, which has become like a tribute to this grand gathering. The fireworks close up the event with spectacular pyrotechnic effects, that light up the whole bay and design flowers, arabesques and stars onto the night sky. This is the most eagerly awaited moment of the audience, who sits on the rocks to watch the conclusion of the parade and final prize-giving. Ischia's village sparkles and on the water mirror there are many reflections of fireworks complemented by music and singing. The lit castle in the background, is the protagonist in this enchanting scenery. It's an event that attracts numerous locals and thousands of tourists. A popular tradition that has it's roots in the memory of past centuries.
How to get to Ischia Ponte the day of the feast of Sant'Anna?
During the festivites it can be quite hard to go from one municipality to the next. The best way to get to the feast of Sant'Anna is definitely to rent a scooter, so parking problems can be avoided. Alternatively you can take a taxi or the number 7 bus leaving from Ischia Porto.