The Strangest Festivals in Italy You Can’t Miss
Italy is a country rich in unique and fascinating traditions. Beyond the famous Carnivals and Palios, there are countless local festivals that surprise visitors with their originality. If you’re looking for something truly different, here are some of the strangest and most captivating festivals to discover.
Here The Strangest Festivals in Italy You Can’t Miss
1. The Race of the Candles (Corsa dei Ceri) – Gubbio (Umbria)
Every year on May 15, Gubbio celebrates the Race of the Candles, a procession where locals carry giant candles through the historic center. Groups dressed in distinctive colors representing three saints—Saint Ubaldo, Saint Anthony, and Saint George—parade through the medieval town holding candles about five meters tall, racing up the steep streets and narrow alleys. The team of Saint Ubaldo traditionally wins most often.
2. The Festival of the Snake Handlers (Festa dei Serpari) – Cocullo (Abruzzo)
In Cocullo, the Festival of the Snake Handlers is held annually, a centuries-old tradition honoring a miracle by Saint Dominic in the 11th century, when he supposedly removed snakes from local fields. Local snake handlers catch four types of harmless snakes and carefully place them on a wooden statue of Saint Dominic. The statue is then carried through the village in a long procession. The festival has roots dating back to ancient Roman times as a celebration of Angitia, a snake goddess worshiped in central Italy.
Foto di alessandra barbieri da Pixabay
3. The May Festival of Saint Julian (Il Maggio di San Giuliano) – Accettura (Basilicata)
In Accettura, the May Festival of Saint Julian is an ancient tree ritual with pagan roots symbolizing earth’s fertility. During the “wedding,” a “male” tree (oak) and a “female” tree (holly) are united with the help of two local groups: the maggiaioli and the cimaioli. In the late 18th century, a religious element was added by venerating Saint Julian, the town’s patron saint, whose statue is paraded through the streets alongside thousands of worshippers, accompanied by live music.
4. The Sardinian Cavalcade (Cavalcata Sarda) – Sassari (Sardinia)
The Sardinian Cavalcade is a secular folkloric celebration held annually on the penultimate Sunday of May. This two-day event showcases Sardinian pride and heritage through a parade of hundreds of people dressed in traditional costumes, riding horses or riding decorated traditional carts called “traccas.” Participants come from all over the island, wearing elaborate costumes adorned with intricate embroidery and jewelry. The Cavalcade dates back to 1711 when the Municipality of Sassari organized a parade in honor of King Philip V.
5. The Battle of the Oranges, Ivrea, Piedmont
On the Sunday before the start of the Catholic Lent, the city of Ivrea hosts the Battle of the Oranges, a historical reenactment of a 12th-century struggle between the people of Ivrea and the tyrannical government of the time, commemorated by an orange-throwing battle, as you might guess.
This festival symbolizes the city’s spirit of resistance and its victory in gaining freedom. Participants, divided into nine teams, run through the streets on foot or throw oranges from carts roaming Ivrea, all protected by leather helmets.
Prizes are awarded during the final ceremony on Shrove Tuesday to the teams that have stood out for their dedication, skill, and loyalty. It may sound strange—and it is—but if you love citrus fruits and want to witness one of Italy’s biggest “food fights,” this celebration is definitely for you.
6. The Marostica Chess Game
The Marostica Chess Game dates back to the 1450s, at the tail end of the Late Middle Ages—a period some historians mark as ending with the discovery of America in 1492, and others with the fall of Constantinople to the Ottoman Turks in 1453.
Marostica was a loyal subject of the Republic of Venice, governed by a podestà. Legend has it that two knights, Vieri da Vallonara and Rinaldo d’Angarano, both fell deeply in love with a woman named Lionora. To prevent bloodshed over the rivalry, her father, Taddeo Parisio, proposed that instead of dueling with weapons, the two suitors settle their contest with a game of chess—but not just any game.
The match was to be played in the town square, with human chess pieces portrayed by costumed actors, framed by flag-wavers, minstrels, and fireworks.
Ultimately, Vieri da Vallonara won both the game and Lionora’s heart. The event soon became legend, revived in 1923 with a symbolic match and then firmly established as a biennial tradition every second weekend in September since 1954.
Today, of course, there are no romantic disputes or knights vying for a prize—only the joy of celebrating a magnificent medieval tradition brought back to life. The spectacular show features over 500 performers and lasts no less than two hours.
Foto di albertosandrin da Pixabay
7. La torta dei fieschi in Liguria
La Torta dei Fieschi is a vibrant historical reenactment that brings the medieval past to life. The festivities commence on the evening of August 13th with the “Addio do Fantin,” a pre-wedding celebration featuring medieval music, dances, and performances. On August 14th, a grand procession of over 100 participants in medieval costumes parades through Lavagna’s historic center, culminating at Piazza Vittorio Veneto. Here, the wedding proclamation is read, and the giant 13 quintal wedding cake is ceremoniously cut and distributed to the public through a unique matchmaking game. Participants purchase tickets bearing fantasy medieval names and must find their “match” with someone holding a ticket of the opposite color but the same name to receive a slice of the cake.
Have you ever been there?
Italy never ceases to amaze with its unique and fascinating traditions. If you want to experience a summer unlike any other, full of original and fun events, these festivals offer the perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in local culture and create unforgettable memories.
So, pack your bags and get ready for an exclusive experience that will leave you with memories to last a lifetime!
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