Festival of Our Lady of Graces and Octopus Festival

An Ancient Devotion

In Le Grazie, a seaside hamlet in the municipality of Portovenere in the province of La Spezia, the Festival of Our Lady of Graces is one of the oldest religious celebrations in Liguria. 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 neighboring towns, the province, and Lunigiana come to Le Grazie to honor the patron saint of the Gulf.

The Octopus Festival

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

Between Faith and Spectacle

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