A symbol that preserves the maritime identity of Varazze
Every year, on August 24, Varazze celebrates one of its most heartfelt community events: the feast of San Bartolomeo, apostle and patron saint of fishermen. This event combines liturgy, popular tradition, sacred art, and collective participation, renewing the deep bond between the city and the sea every year.
A Baroque masterpiece at the heart of the festival
At the center of the procession stands the processional casket depicting the martyrdom of the Saint, attributed to the school of Anton Maria Maragliano, a great Ligurian Baroque sculptor. The work, composed of twelve wooden figures, dates back to the early 18th century and is kept in the Oratory of San Bartolomeo in the suburb of Solaro. This imposing “processional machine,” weighing over 14 quintals, is carried on the shoulders of the bearers, a gesture that transforms fatigue into faith and collective pride.
The day begins with a solemn mass in the Oratory of the Solaro district, followed by the votive procession, led by the capocassa with the symbolic handing over of the mace. The procession passes through the streets of the village to Piazza Nello Bovani, where the ‘bow to the sea and mountains’ is performed, a gesture that celebrates the relationship between Varazze, its territory, and maritime spirituality. The procession then passes through the streets of the village and returns to the oratory, bringing to a close a centuries-old community ritual.
The bearers: the seafaring heart on the move.
Dressed in blue and white striped shirts and sailor caps, the bearers embody the seafaring identity of Varazze, evoking the life of the port and the local fishing tradition.
Confraternities and crucifixes: faith and folk art
The town's confraternities also take part in the procession, carrying opulent wooden processional crucifixes up to three meters high and weighing around 40 kg. As guardians of sacred art and tradition, the confreres reinforce the solemnity of the ritual.
The feast of San Bartolomeo is not just a religious ritual: it is an immersion in the most authentic soul of Varazze, a moment when devotion, maritime memory, and artistic heritage converge. Participating in the procession on August 24 means entering the living heart of a community that honors its roots while looking to the future with hope.
