LA FESTA DI SANT'ALESSANDRO
LA FESTA DI SANT'ALESSANDRO
La Festa di Sant’Alessandro is one of the most beautiful events held in Ischia, a performance that covers almost 3000 years of culture, tradition and history of the island of Ischia. The event takes place towards the last week of August every year and by consulting our Ischia Events Calendar you can see the date of this year's event as and when it's available.
Sant’Alessandro is a tiny and picturesque hamlet, not far from Ischia's main harbor, on the north- east side of the island. This ancient little village rises up on a hill, with its narrow, entangled streets and cobbled steps, lovely colourful houses surrounded by flowers and plants, slowly sloping down to the hidden beach, “Spiaggia degli Inglesi”. The tiny church of the village, dedicated to Saint Alessandro (Chiesa di Sant'Alessandro), was originally a private chapel dating back the 14th century and it is the final stop of the traditional parade that takes place every year on the 26th August.
La “festa di Sant’Alessandro” was born over 30 years ago thanks to the initiative of a group of residents of the village and consists of a parade along the streets of Ischia Porto with hundreds of locals dressed up in historical costumes, representing the various dynasties, armies and cultures that lived on the island at one time or another, marching in chronological order, starting from the Greek period to the modern day including notable kings and queens, soldiers and noblemen, clergymen and admirals, all portraying the most important historical events that have taken place in Ischia.
The beautiful and refined costumes are rich in detail and made in the same style as the original costumes of the time and have been sewn with care by the hands of local tailors, utilizing fine fabrics and precious accessories.
Over the past years the festival has gained more and more importance adding further details and initiatives to the parade, like international flag spinners performing on the streets and cultural exchanges with representatives from other countries dressed up in their own traditional costumes, parading together with the locals.
The procession starts from the square outside Castello Aragonese in Ischia Ponte, continuing along Via L. Mazzella, Via A. Sogliuzzo, Via F. Sogliuzzo, Corso Vittoria Colonna, Via Roma and Via Iasolino, ending at the church of Sant’Alessandro where a mass is held and a final party with wine and local food is offered.
Silvana Coppa for Ischia Review
Sant’Alessandro is a tiny and picturesque hamlet, not far from Ischia's main harbor, on the north- east side of the island. This ancient little village rises up on a hill, with its narrow, entangled streets and cobbled steps, lovely colourful houses surrounded by flowers and plants, slowly sloping down to the hidden beach, “Spiaggia degli Inglesi”. The tiny church of the village, dedicated to Saint Alessandro (Chiesa di Sant'Alessandro), was originally a private chapel dating back the 14th century and it is the final stop of the traditional parade that takes place every year on the 26th August.
La “festa di Sant’Alessandro” was born over 30 years ago thanks to the initiative of a group of residents of the village and consists of a parade along the streets of Ischia Porto with hundreds of locals dressed up in historical costumes, representing the various dynasties, armies and cultures that lived on the island at one time or another, marching in chronological order, starting from the Greek period to the modern day including notable kings and queens, soldiers and noblemen, clergymen and admirals, all portraying the most important historical events that have taken place in Ischia.
The beautiful and refined costumes are rich in detail and made in the same style as the original costumes of the time and have been sewn with care by the hands of local tailors, utilizing fine fabrics and precious accessories.
Over the past years the festival has gained more and more importance adding further details and initiatives to the parade, like international flag spinners performing on the streets and cultural exchanges with representatives from other countries dressed up in their own traditional costumes, parading together with the locals.
The procession starts from the square outside Castello Aragonese in Ischia Ponte, continuing along Via L. Mazzella, Via A. Sogliuzzo, Via F. Sogliuzzo, Corso Vittoria Colonna, Via Roma and Via Iasolino, ending at the church of Sant’Alessandro where a mass is held and a final party with wine and local food is offered.
Silvana Coppa for Ischia Review
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