On the night before the Sagra del Pesce, Fish Festival, in Camogli there is a parade through the town, fireworks and bonfires on the beach.
We had other plans for the day of the festival but were there for the evening festivities. We arrived in the afternoon and walked around this lovely town again.
On the way in we spotted a fishing boat sailing out of the harbour for a night’s work.
The harbour looked fabulous in the afternoon sunshine.
We climbed up the stairs to the church and the castle for a good view of the huge frypan being prepared for the festival the next day.
It seems that the area where the church and the old castle stand was once an island.
The interior of the Basilica Santa Maria Assunta is very elaborate.
The statue involved in the street parade was on its carrier waiting to be taken through the town.
This one is impressive too.
The Castel Dragone is imposing.
We walked on into the town. There are tiny laneways and lots of stairs in Camogli.
The painted buildings are stunning.
Garibaldi gets around.
The Camogli dragon boat was on display as part of the festivities.
The boat travels the world to compete in races. Here it is in Venice. (Photo from poster)
The giant cake on the beach is one of the structures waiting to be set on fire.
After dinner we positioned ourselves on a terrace beside the sea to wait for things to begin.
The sun slowly disappeared.
We waited and we waited…
The parade was a bit of a disappointment. We were expecting bands, music and something amazing.
There was no band, no music, just these being carried down the street. I almost missed it as I had gone into a shop to buy a bottle of water.
Then it was another wait until the fireworks began…at 11.30. By this time we had been waiting for hours. The crowds streadily grew and finally things started to happen.
My photos of the fireworks were not much good and in the end I just stood there and watched. Here are a few that are OK.
At end of the fireworks the church was lit beautifully and the bonfires began.
The fireworks are some of the best I have seen anywhere, and the church looked incredible, but waiting for 4 hours was a bit much. It is always difficult to find out ahead of time what time these events start. Even if you can find something they are often late.
I would definitely attend the event again, but plan ahead a bit better and find a hotel with a view of the beach and watch in comfort.
I have to comment on the well natured crowd, many of whom waited as long as we did. The atmosphere was cheerful, with children playing under the watchful eyes of their parents and everyone out to enjoy themselves. Italians do this very well.
Debra, it seems firework displays are always late – except in Sydney on New Year’s Eve when there is that televised count down – but there is the 12 hour wait before with people trying to get best view, some camping overnight. But I think I prefer those that you have captured. And the inside of the church is breathtaking. I have never seen such a joyous Mary, I presume it is her with all the cherubs around her? Thanks once more for your generosity in sharing. Kevin Palmer Bangalow NSW
By: Kevin Palmer on May 16, 2018
at 8:43 pm
I suppose you are correct about fireworks being late. Now that we know we will be better prepared for next time. I also assume the lovely lady is Mary.
By: Debra Kolkka on May 17, 2018
at 5:00 am
Wow nice
By: mybeatrice86098512 on May 16, 2018
at 9:48 pm
Looks fabulous – I agree get a hotel for the night –
By: Elizabeth Litzow on May 16, 2018
at 10:50 pm
Sounds like a plan.
By: Debra Kolkka on May 17, 2018
at 5:00 am
Is’t that fabulous! Such beautiful statuary. Honestly, if you want to stage a fabulous celebration – and feast – first find yourself an Italian!
By: Jan on May 16, 2018
at 11:30 pm
They do it well.
By: Debra Kolkka on May 17, 2018
at 5:01 am
Very impressive – such a beautiful harbour and basilica.
By: Kerry & Jim on May 16, 2018
at 11:49 pm
Camogli is gorgeous.
By: Debra Kolkka on May 17, 2018
at 5:01 am
Really beautiful. That church is gorgeous. Thank you for sharing
By: Mulino Dominillo on May 17, 2018
at 4:40 am
We were very surprised when we entered the church.
By: Debra Kolkka on May 17, 2018
at 5:02 am
This is truly a stunning place !!
A photographer’s heaven I feel…
Great landscape, incredible architecture, art, sculptures and the firework as an icing on the cake 🙂
Thank you so much for sharing and have a beautiful day 🙂
By: Sreejith Nair on May 17, 2018
at 7:12 am
The firworks were spectacular. We were glad we waited.
By: Debra Kolkka on May 17, 2018
at 3:37 pm
The castle with the fireworks looks like a real life fairy tale. Beautiful. 🙂
By: a mindful traveler on May 17, 2018
at 9:44 am
Camogli is a wonderful town. I think we might become regular visitors.
By: Debra Kolkka on May 17, 2018
at 3:36 pm
👍🏼😊
By: a mindful traveler on May 18, 2018
at 5:07 am
The long wait sounds like what one would expect to do at New Year’s Eve. But that beautifully-lit church, the fireworks, and the bonfires look like they worth the wait. Glad you stayed long enough!
By: Bama on May 17, 2018
at 12:16 pm
It was worth the wait, but we will be better organised next time.
By: Debra Kolkka on May 17, 2018
at 3:39 pm
Thank you for a lovely slice of this town. The fireworks looked great.
By: Eat, drink and be Kerry on May 18, 2018
at 12:25 am
Camogli is lovely. We have been a few times now and find something new each time.
By: Debra Kolkka on May 18, 2018
at 11:51 am
Debra,
There are a few tricks to getting good fireworks photographs. They involve a good, steady tripod, a remote shutter release, and setting the camera shutter control to “B.” Set the equipment up and stop down the aperture to a high f/ number, at least 18 if not more. When the pyrotechnics start, hold the shutter open for several fireworks shots – even as many as ten or more – then close the shutter. I don’t know what camera you’re using, but some you have to hold the release open, some you click it once to open the shutter and click it again to close it. Good luck!
By: Rob Mc Artor on May 19, 2018
at 2:50 am
Thanks for the tips. I don’t have a tripod and don’t often need to take fireworks photos. I think I will leave it to the experts and just watch next time. It was a lovely event.
By: Debra Kolkka on May 19, 2018
at 5:27 am
Hehe that’s always my issue with fireworks events. I can never wait it out long enough to get a good vantage point. They do look lovely though!
By: Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella on May 19, 2018
at 2:51 am
I’m not really a fan of fireworks, all that money going up in smoke, but they were pretty.
By: Debra Kolkka on May 19, 2018
at 5:28 am
[…] Camogli holds a Sagra del Pesce in May. It is the world’s largest fish fry. A 28 ton frying pan cooks 25,000 serves of fish to the hoards of people who attend. We went to the fireworks the night before, but have not made it to the actual festival. […]
By: Where to go in 2020? | Bagni di Lucca and Beyond on January 30, 2020
at 8:54 pm