The Ancient Vara

On August 15, a procession in honor of the Virgin Mary parades through the streets of Messina carrying the "Vara," a huge pyramid-shaped devotional float that symbolizes the Assumption of the Virgin Mary into heaven. The origins of the festival date back to 1535, when a triumphal float was made to celebrate the entry of Emperor Charles V, who had won in the battles of Tunis and La Goletta against Ariadeno Barbarossa. At the bottom of the chariot is a coffin representing the death of Mary, higher up is the earth with the sun, moon and planets gravitating around it. Continuing to ascend one encounters the fixed stars and the figure of Christ lifting Mary's soul toward heaven-with his right hand. All around are little angels. The procession that - starts in Castronovo Square and continues to Cathedral Square - takes place on the wet pavement that allows the float, with the presence of steel skates, to move along the streets of the town, pulled by rowers and coxswains.