Messina: the Passeggiata dei giganti and the procession of the Vara

We have already given some idea to spend the day of Ferragosto 2017 in Sicily. We want to add another one. Two, to be precise. That will allow you to discover the folkloristic traditions of the city of Messina. We’re talking about two unmissable events: the Passeggiata dei giganti (literally, “the walk of the giants”) and the procession of the Vara.

August 14^th: the Passeggiata dei giganti

The two giants are:

• Mata, a beautiful white woman;
• Grifone, a giant Moor warrior.

According to the legend, Hassam-Ibn-Hammar felt in love with Mata. But the woman gave him her love only when the Moor converted to Christianity, changing its name in Grifone. On August 14^th, in the evening, the Passeggiata dei giganti begins: two tall papier-mâché statues, representing Mata and Grifone, are carried along the street of Messina.

August 15^th: the procession of the Vara

“Vara” is a transliteration of the word “bara” (coffin): it’s a connection with the coffin where there are the rests of the Madonna Dormiente (literally, “Sleeping Madonna”). The Vara is essentially a big votive machine, which is 13 meters tall. It represents the Madonna and The Redeemer surrounded by the Angels.

On August 15th, this big machine is pulled, with some long ropes, and it’s carried around the streets of Messina. Thousands of people wait for the Vara in Duomo square, where the procession ends.

Further information

For further information about the 2017 edition of the Passeggiata dei giganti and the procession of the Vara (routes, any changes), you can visit the official website of Messina municipality, Comune.messina.it.

Image source: Flickr.com/photos/marcocrupivisualartist