LA FESTA DI SAN VITO IN FORIO D'ISCHIA
LA FESTA DI SAN VITO IN FORIO D'ISCHIA
San Vito is the patron saint of Forio d'Ischia and the celebrations in his name take place every year between the 14th and 17th June. Here we explain about the traditions, legends and festivities take place in Ischia.
Forio is ready, as it is every year, to honour its patron saint, San Vito, with 4 days of celebrations (from the 14th to the 17th of June) full of beautiful and colourful illuminations around town, market stalls, merry-go-rounds, the local marching band playing around the streets, religious processions and masses devoted to the saint, ending with the stunning firework display out at sea on the last day.
The town of Forio is devoted to San Vito even if the little information we do have about the saint tells us that he was born in Sicily around 300AD. San Vito was persecuted for his belief in God and died a martyr at the tender age of 12 after performing many miracles.
But why did the cult of San Vito become so popular in Forio? Legend says that in the mid 19th century, Forio was suffering from a terrible parasite called “Peronospera” (late blight), infesting the vineyards of the island, the main economical resource of Ischia. The situation was desperate and the islanders were completely devastated by the epidemic.
One day a huge ship appeared on the horizon, docking in Forio. The sailors said they left Sicily without knowing what cargo they were carrying on board. They didn’t even know how they ended up on the island of Ischia. The only thing they could say was that the whole crew had a dream about a young boy who called himself Vito. With great surprise they all found out what the cargo of the ship was: sulphur, the antidote against the late blight!
The vineyards were safe, the economy of Forio flourished again and for this reason (also to prevent bad luck in the future!) Forio is always ready to show love and devotion to the young Vito, the Saint saviour.
Silvana Coppa
Ischia Review
The town of Forio is devoted to San Vito even if the little information we do have about the saint tells us that he was born in Sicily around 300AD. San Vito was persecuted for his belief in God and died a martyr at the tender age of 12 after performing many miracles.
But why did the cult of San Vito become so popular in Forio? Legend says that in the mid 19th century, Forio was suffering from a terrible parasite called “Peronospera” (late blight), infesting the vineyards of the island, the main economical resource of Ischia. The situation was desperate and the islanders were completely devastated by the epidemic.
One day a huge ship appeared on the horizon, docking in Forio. The sailors said they left Sicily without knowing what cargo they were carrying on board. They didn’t even know how they ended up on the island of Ischia. The only thing they could say was that the whole crew had a dream about a young boy who called himself Vito. With great surprise they all found out what the cargo of the ship was: sulphur, the antidote against the late blight!
The vineyards were safe, the economy of Forio flourished again and for this reason (also to prevent bad luck in the future!) Forio is always ready to show love and devotion to the young Vito, the Saint saviour.
Silvana Coppa
Ischia Review
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