Events
On the banks of the wonderful Tyrrhenian Sea, in an extraordinarily fascinating territory, is the enchanting promontory of Monte Argentario. Each year, this location hosts numerous events and interesting manifestations that always draw a large number of tourists, here is a list of all the most important events in chronological order:
January:
-“Arriva la Befana” (Arrives the Befana): with no literal English translation, the Befana is much like Santa Claus for the Italians and is depicted as an old lady who brings gifts on the day of the Epiphany. This festival is a traditional festival in honour of the children, who are given stockings filled with sweets and caramels.
-“Il Presepe Vivente” (The Live Nativity): held in the splendid port town of Porto Ercole on the 5th and 6th.
-“Il Presepe Marino”(The Marine Nativity): also held in Porto Ercole during December and January, this is an interesting masked procession through the streets of the town, demonstrating the ancient professions and the culture of this extraordinary town.
February:
-“Festa per il Carnevale” (Festival for Carnival): held in the port towns of Porto Santo Stefano and Porto Ercole
March:
-“Gran Fondo dell’Argentario” (The Grand Bottom of the Argentario): an event which, in 2007, is in its first year and involves a great number of participants.
April:
-“Festa di Primavera” (Spring Festival): held in the wonderful port town of Porto Santo Stefano, this festival includes stands selling the typical local products of the zone, as well as interesting shows and the famous Regata di Primavera (Spring Boat Race)
-“Pasquavela” :a manifestation organized during the Easter period with a sail boat race between the citizens of Porto Santo Stefano
-“Fiera della Nautica” (Pride of Seamanship): organized in the enchanting port town of Porto Ercole.
-“Processione di Pasqua” (Easter Procession): a very beautiful procession along the sea, held on the Sunday of Easter.
May:
-“Festa di Sant’Erasmo” (Festival of St. Erasmo): a traditional local festival that celebrates St. Erasmus, patron saint of Porto Ercole. During the festival there are numerous musical and cultural shows and demonstrations.
June:
-“Argentario Sailing Week”: held in the first half of June, it is a traditional regatta between the citizens of Porto Santo Stefano
July:
-“Anniversario della fondazione dei Reali Spagnoli” (Anniversary of the foundations of the Spanish Royals): a celebration held in the wonderful Porto Ercole.
-“Festa della Birra” (Beer Festival): organized in Porto Santo Stefano.
-“Raduno dei Cortei Storici” (Gathering of the Historic Processions): a wonderful manifestation in the marine village of Porto S. Stefano.
August:
-“Palio Marinaro dell’Argentario” (Palio of the Argentario): a ‘palio’ is a banner or cloth won during some type of traditional race or contest, in this case a boat race.
This manifestation is held on the 15th and consists of a regatta at Porto S. Stefano, recreating a legendary episode tied to the vicissitudes of a fishing boat. During the race, the participants compete to become the victorious representatives of their city districts.
-“La Processione a Mare” (Procession to the Sea): held on the 3rd at Porto S. Stefano in honour of the patron saint of the zone.
-“La Sagra della Ficamaschia Dorata” (The Festival of the Golden Fish): dedicated to a certain type of fish that lives in the water of the Tyrrhenian, this festival celebrates the typical products of Porto Ercole and gives you a chance to try some of the traditional dishes of the area. It is held during the second and third week of the month.
December:
-“Presepe Vivente” (Live Procession): organized in the splendid town of Porto S.Stefano and is one of the most unique and spectacular events held in all of the Argentario.
Must see events:
“Palio Marinaro dell’Argentario” (Marine Palio of the Argentario): a ‘palio’ is a banner or cloth won during some type of traditional race or contest, in this case a boat race.
This competition, held in Porto S. Stefano for over 50 years, is, without a doubt, the most famous events in the entire Argentario.
It was first held during 1937, and has continued to be organized every year since then.
It is a manifestation that can boast and continues to boast an extraordinary lifespan, seen as one of the identifying elements of the area. The Marine Horse Race itself is fascinating and exciting, with each oarsman representing one of the four districts, hoping to bring victory to their entire neighborhood.
The town of Porto S. Stefano is divided, for this occasion, into the four historic neigbourhoods: Valle (Valley), Croce (Cross), Pilarella and Fortezza (Fortress), with the winning neighborhood being given the title of the strongest district in Porto Santo Stefano, something of great pride and honour.
The manifestation, which annually attracts a large number of tourists and fans, began as a historical re-enactment of a somewhat miraculous and symbolic event.
The legend suggests that a small boat of fishermen was at sea, not far from the town of Porto Santo Stefano, when suddenly, they saw a Saracen ship heading towards them with the intention of sinking them.
Following their instinct, the fishermen began to row with all their might, managing to avoid invaders by hiding in a cave, that is, today, known as “The Saraceno Cave”.