Feast of the Stella Maris of Camogli

On the first Sunday in August, Camogli celebrates the Feast of Stella Maris, which dates back to the 15th century and is a tribute that fishermen pay to Our Lady, the patron saint of sailors and fishermen, whom they call "Stella di Mare." According to tradition, the morning begins with a cannon shot that kicks off the celebrations with the departure of the Dragun, a boat fashioned from an old lifeboat and painted with themes reminiscent of pirate raids in past centuries. The Dragun leads the priest to Punta Chiappa where the Stella Maris altar is located and where the mass and blessing of the sea and boats takes place. In tow are other small rowing boats. During the day the historic boats compete in nautical challenges, but as soon as the sun goes down everything becomes even more impressive because of the (biodegradable) flashlights that light up the boats, transforming the coast into a bright and fascinating stretch of water.