As I spend my first whole month of August on the Amalfi Coast, I am learning a lot of new things. The first is that I finally know what really crowded here really means. And I mean the really crowded, no place to park, no beach chair left unoccupied, mobs of Italian tourists sort of crowded. It ain’t pretty, and let’s just leave it at that. The up side is that I am seeing so many festivals and events for the first time, which has been a great deal of fun. Tonight is the festival for San Lorenzo, that patron of the city of Scala on the Amalfi Coast. Most of the year a quiet and sleepy little town, you will be hearing more about Scala over the coming month as I write about the Scala Meets New York festival starting tomorrow.
The town is all set up for the festivities, which started yesterday evening. I am looking forward to seeing the procession, hearing the music by a band from Lecce, and seeing the fireworks display over the city for the first time. I just read a fun article online at Italy Magazine about the night of San Lorenzo that I had to share here. I didn’t know before that tonight is a night for wishing on falling stars, called the “tears of San Lorenzo,” that come from the Perseidi meteor shower. You can also head over to Bleeding Espresso where Michelle wrote a lovely post last August 10th about the La notte di San Lorenzo. All across Italy, people will be outdoors looking for falling stars and making wishes. Speaking for this hopeless romantic, you can bet I will be in Scala with eyes searching the dark night sky for shooting stars ready to make my wish!
May all your wishes come true!!
Oh poor you Laura, having such crowds come to your home town 🙁 yes just lets leave it at that..!!
I would be searching for "Shooting Stars" to make a wish..I hope that you get to see some!
Have a lovely evening.
Laura – There's a wonderful Italian movie entitled "Notta di San Lorenzo" You should go search it out.
I'm a hopeless romantic, too , so I'm still looking out here! It's all right if you see a shooting star on the 11th or 12th – you can still make your wish. Just saw the comment about the movie – I agree; it's a wonderful film.
Thanks for the mention, and remember that although the 10th is San Lorenzo, the shooting stars are usually around for another week or so…what a great excuse to stargaze (as if we need one) 🙂
Laura, I understand your felling on mobs of people! San Lorenzo sounds great! I know I would have a blast at that festival!! Make a wish upon a star! I hope you enjoy 🙂
Hi Laura, I came here through Anne and find a fantastic blog! I was in the area 3 years ago and absolutely fell in love with Positano, Ravello, Amalfi, & Atrani. I'll be spending my honeymoon in Tuscany but am hoping we can make it down that way -next September. I'll be back to visit! Hugs, 😀
Ciao Anne! It was a lovely night, and I did see a few shooting stars that night and the next night. I had my wishes ready!
Ciao Linda! I have heard of that mpovie, but not seen it. I will have to search it out here. Thanks for the reminder!
Ciao Pat! Did you see some shooting stars down in Modica? I hope so! I saw one the night of San Lorenzo and two the next night on a boat ride to Positano. Beautiful nights for making wishes!
Ciao Michelle! I hope you saw some shooting stars down in Calabria… and that all your wishes come true!
Ciao Chuck! Yes, you would love the festival. It is a great small town event, with a nice procession and a community feel. I hope you can see it someday!
Ciao Leslie! I am so happy you stopped by to say "ciao!" I know how you feel about visiting here and falling in love with the area. It happened to me two and a half years ago! 🙂 How exciting to be coming back for your honeymoon in Tuscany. I hope you can get back here to visit soon! In the meantime, I look forward to keeping in touch with you here. Ciao ciao!