Santa Chiara

The patron saint of Marciana Marina is Saint Clare of Assisi, possibly chosen because it was believed she protected against pirates.

In guides, books, and past documents, you’ll find that it’s celebrated on August 12th, but this is no longer the case. By decree of the ecclesiastical authorities, the celebration has been moved one day earlier, so the festivities are spread over two different days: on the 11th, the religious festival is celebrated, culminating with the evening procession. The Saint is carried to the end of the port and placed on one of the decorated and illuminated fishing boats that make several rounds in front of the town, while other vessels pay homage by sounding their horns.

It’s an old tradition that is maintained despite growing difficulties due to increasingly strict safety regulations, which prohibit the illumination along the seafront with wax candles, as was done in the past, from Cotone to the end of the port.

On August 12th, however, there’s space for the secular: just before midnight, a grand spectacle of fireworks, or rather a “pyromusical” show: the fireworks are launched from the port, visible from the entire seafront, following the rhythm of the music.

Music, sea, and fiery sky create a combination of poignant beauty. Afterwards, a band plays on the seafront and you can dance until late.

Many years ago, before tourism and until tourist numbers weren’t so high, the day of Santa Chiara was entirely dedicated to competitions of all kinds: boat races, swimming races, sack races, donkey races, and until the 1950s there was no shortage of “raw material”, speed races and foot races.

A characteristic event was the greased pole competition, a sort of “greased” pole climb, with a pole covered in “tallow”, a slippery fat that made it difficult to reach the top: those who fell, however, ended up in the sea.