Rapallo: the Charm of Faith and Folklore during July's Celebrations

Besides offering delicious food based on Ligurian traditional and fish dishes, breathtaking views of the stunning Mediterranean sea while strolling along the "promenade", from July 1st to 3rd Rapallo also proposes unique religious traditions accompanied by secular folklore with spectacular fireworks.

During this time of the year, enjoying a weekend at the beach and admiring fireworks shows can be enriched by a visit to the Sanctuary of Montallegro, reached by cable car wherefrom to admire the gulf all the way up to Portofino.

Rapallo's religious faith is fully expressed during the night before the celebration, when pilgrims hike more than six hundred meters in altitude to attend the "dawn mass" which is celebrated, as every day of the Novena, at 5 o' clock in the morning.

The procession through the streets is very participated as well, with its Arca Argentea, the gigantic and peculiar "Christs" carried up with exceptional skill, Brotherhoods, the Band, as is well attended the following Sunday, in Montallegro, a thanksgiving celebration. This celebration, proposed to UNESCO as a World Intangible Heritage, goes back to a vow made to Holy Mary to free the city from plague.

Here below the program for July celebrations:

July 1

8:00am: Greetings to Holy Mary by the different Sestieri (ancient city's districts) with the lighting of ancient Ligurian firecrackers; day fireworks display to follow by San Michele and Cerisola districts

10.15pm: Greetings of the districts with the lighting of ancient Ligurian firecrackers

10:30pm: Palio of the districts followed by night fireworks shows by San Michele and Cerisola districts

July 2

12pm: Panegirico firecrackers display – which recalls the moment when the Virgin of Montallegro, Patroness of Rapallo, appeared to the peasant Giovanni Chichizola, back in 1557 - followed by day fireworks shows by Sestiere Cappelletta

10.45pm: Greetings of the districts to Our Lady with the lighting of ancient Ligurian firecrackers

11pm: Palio of the districts; night fireworks by Seglio and Borzoli districts

July 3

9pm: Departure of the solemn procession at the Basilica of Saints Gervasio and Protasio

10pm: Greetings of the districts with the lighting of ancient Ligurian firecrackers at the passage of the Arca Argentea on Vittorio Veneto promenade

10.15pm: Boys fireworks; to follow night fireworks display and the traditional burning of the Castle by district Borzoli

11:15pm: Greetings of the districts to Our Lady with the lighting of ancient Ligurian firecrackers

11.30pm: Palio of the districts followed by night fireworks by Cappella and Costaguta districts