Festivities in honour of Maria Santissima Assunta and procession to the sea
What | Religious event, Tradizioni & folklore |
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When | August |
Where | Roseto degli Abruzzi |
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This suggestive and antique procession to the sea takes place on the day of the Feast of Santa Maria Assunta. Beach games tournaments (in the past the challenge between fishers who climbed up the “palo della cuccagna” (the greasy pole) was particularly popular) precede the procession which starts off in the late afternoon and culminates in the night with the traditional fireworks launched from the sea.
The statue of the Madonna is carried from after the celebration of the mass from the small historical church of Maria Santissima Assunta to the small harbour to be then set on a fishing boat adorned with ribbons and lights.
The course followed by the fishing boat, accompanied by the sirens of the Marine of Roseto, covers the entire coast of the town up to the Pineta pine wood, where the priest blesses man and boats.
Originally, the blessing was carried out using a relic which according to popular belief belonged to the statue of Santa Filomena: the blessing forearm was covered with rings and golden or coral necklaces
The conclusion of the blessing is marked by a short series of shots coming from boats in open sea. Once back to the harbour the statue is carried back to the church to be celebrated again at later with the midnight fireworks launched from the sea.