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Every year, Ischia’s residents set fire to their castle to thank St. Anne.
The islanders are sure that 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. Anne patronizes women who are expecting a child. Statue of the saint is kept in the chapel of the Aragonese castle standing on a cliff. Now the fortress is connected to the city by a bridge, but sometime a boat was needed to reach the chapel. Fishermen decorated their vessels with flowers and reeds and sailed with their pregnant wives to the church of St. Anne - to accept the blessing.
Since 1932, each municipality of Ischia began to build a raft and decorate it with installations. Among these scenery right on the water play performances. With the onset of darkness, the walls of the Aragon Castle paint the red glow of the “fire”. Simulates flame illumination. Symbolic arson reminds residents of the attacks that their island has undergone over the centuries. The holiday ends with a salute over the castle.
