Festa della Madonna delle Grazie e Sagra del Polpo

An ancient devotion

In Le Grazie, a seaside hamlet in the municipality of Portovenere in the province of La Spezia, the Festa della Madonna delle Grazie (Festival of Our Lady of Graces) is one of Liguria's oldest religious celebrations. The devotion is linked to the miraculous image of the Madonna, a 1432 painting attributed to Andrea de Aste, preserved in the village. Every year, thousands of pilgrims from nearby towns, the province, and Lunigiana come to Le Grazie to honour the patron saint of the Gulf.

The Sagra del Polpo

Alongside the religious celebrations, the festival is famous for the Sagra del Polpo (Octopus Festival), which attracts thousands of food lovers. Stalls offer mixed fried seafood and anchovy fritters, scabeccio (marinated fish), octopus carpaccio and stew, pasta with mussels, and stuffed mussels, bread fritters, and legume soups. A true showcase of Ligurian seafood cuisine.

Between faith and spectacle

The programme includes an art exhibition in the refectory of the former Olivetan monastery, concerts in the square, evening shows, fireworks, and the spectacular jump of the Italian Navy paratroopers. Nearby, the Roman Villa of Varignano enriches the cultural offerings of this corner of the Gulf of Poets.