La Vara di Messina
Thu 15 Aug
|Piazza Castronovo (Start)
The Vara is held annually on August 15th in Messina’s historic center, making it one of Sicily’s most important and awe-inspiring religious events. A visit to the city center during this time provides an opportunity to experience one of Italy's most extraordinary traditions.
Time and Location
15 Aug 2024, 18:30
Piazza Castronovo (Start), Piazza Ettore Castronovo, 98121 Messina ME, Italy
About the event
While Capo Peloro is one of the most scenic and tranquil spots in Messina, offering stunning views where the Tyrrhenian and Ionian seas meet, just a short trip away lies the heart of Messina's most significant cultural event: the Vara.
The Vara is held annually on August 15th in Messina’s historic center, making it one of Sicily’s most important and awe-inspiring religious events. A visit to the city center during this time provides an opportunity to experience one of Italy's most extraordinary traditions.
The Vara is a monumental, 14-meter-high, pyramid-shaped structure representing the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. Pulled through the streets of Messina by thousands of devotees, the procession is a powerful demonstration of faith and communal solidarity. It is a tradition that has been alive for over 500 years, and every year, it transforms Messina's city center into a vibrant and spiritually charged atmosphere.
If you’re staying in…