Every year, residents of Ischia set fire to their castle to thank St. Anna

The islanders are sure: the mother of the Virgin Mary can bring happiness to the family. It is believed that Anna gave birth to a daughter already in old age, after many years of childless marriage only thanks to a miracle. Therefore, since ancient times in Italy, there is a belief that St. Anna patronizes women who are expecting a baby. The statue of the saint is kept in a chapel standing on a rock of the Aragonese castle. Now the fortress is connected to the city by a bridge, but once, in order to get to the chapel, a boat was needed. Fishermen decorated their ships with flowers and reeds and sailed with pregnant wives to the Church of St. Anne – to receive a blessing.

Since 1932, every municipality of Ischia began to build a raft and decorate it with installations. Among these decorations, performances are being played right on the water. With the onset of darkness, the walls of the Aragonese castle are painted with a red glow of “fire”. Imitates flame illumination. The symbolic arson reminds residents of the attacks that their island suffered over the centuries. The holiday ends with a salute above the castle.

Photo: ALAMY / LEGION-MEDIA