The experience
If you are one of the many Brazilians who cannot give up the celebrations of the Festa Junina and you have wondered where the traditions related to this anniversary that are handed down from year to year come from, this program has been designed for you.
The feast of St. John the Baptist is a typical Catholicism event that is celebrated on June 24 and is associated with the arrival of the summer solstice. Many cities and towns in Italy have St. John the Baptist as their patron saint, including Genoa. This is where we will take you.
The celebrations begin the previous evening with stalls and performances by musicians and street artists in the streets of the center and clubs open until late, culminating with the large bonfire that is lit at midnight in the central Piazza Matteotti. On the 24th there is a solemn procession of the ancient Confraternities with their Christs that starts from the Cathedral of San Lorenzo to reach the Old Port where the Cardinal Archbishop of the city imparts the blessing of the sea and the city.
Shortly
Tour
Morning: visit of Genoa. Genoese knowledge in the Atlantic
Itinerary in the city of Genoa designed for all travelers of Brazilian roots, curious to discover the origins of the landscape, urban planning and architecture of the main cities of their country. A journey in search of the broken threads and lost memories that bring Genoa closer to Brazil much more than one might think.
The visit lasts about 3 hours and winds through Piazza De Ferrari, Porta Soprana, Castello Hill, Cathedral of San Lorenzo, Climb the towers of the cathedral, Porto Antico.
Afternoon: The casacce and the tradition of the processional Christs
While waiting for the start of the celebrations, we will dedicate the afternoon to discovering a typical tradition of Liguria that cannot be found in any other Italian region.
It is the culture of the confraternities located essentially in the “Republic of Genoa” and in 2 provinces of Argentina (thanks to Genoese migrants).
The origin is medieval; These are associations of lay people who they have their permanent headquarters in an oratory dedicated to the saint to whom the confraternity is also dedicated. Some members are also “Cristezzanti” or carry large Crucifixes during the processions in which the confraternity participates. In Genoa there are still active Oratories, we will visit one of them and meet one of the confreres.
Morning: Genoa vertical
The morning is dedicated to a walking itinerary that will take you to discover the heights of Genoa through some of its most beautiful viewpoints and then continue by bus to Boccadasse, the picturesque fishing village that still preserves the colorful houses of the ancient village. You will feel like you are in a Riviera resort rather than in the middle of the city. The great charm of this place is also due to the fact that it is not a simple preservation of the past for tourist use, but a lively and vital village, where some fishermen still continue their ancient activity. Today, next to them, there are ice cream parlors, restaurants and small art galleries.
Afternoon: The procession of St. John
At 5 p.m. the most important event of the celebrations dedicated to St. John the Baptist begins. After vespers and the speech to the city held in the Cathedral, the traditional and solemn procession begins.
The silver ark containing the ashes of the saint leaves the Cathedral of San Lorenzo and is transported in procession to the nearby Porto Antico.
This procession also has a great historical and artistic value, since on this occasion the Casacce carry the monumental processional Christs, a symbol of the precious artistic and devotional heritage of the churches and oratories of Genoa.
Once in Sottoripa, the procession stops for the blessing of the sea and the city imparted by the Cardinal Archbishop of Genoa.
Day 3 at the Riviera
After visiting the city, you can extend your stay at your leisure either by delving into some aspects of Genoa or by going to the places on the Riviera di Levante or Ponente that we recommend you visit.
We will be happy to build a program tailored to your interests and wishes.
Let us guide you on your journey to the Roots
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