It is one of the oldest traditions in Capraia, whose origin is lost in the mists of time: we are talking about the procession of the Assumption which takes place every year on August 15th. On the day dedicated to the celebration of the Assumption of Mary, Capraia celebrates with a special maritime ceremony.
At the center of the celebrations is the wooden statue of the Virgin, housed in the church of the Madonna del Porto, an ancient building built in the 11th century by the Pisans, and still standing as evidence of the old town.
On 15 August, the statue is moved to the Church of San Nicola: from here, in the evening, the traditional procession takes the image to the port of Capraia. Placed on a boat and escorted by the sound of the sirens from other boats, the statue of the Madonna leaves the port to reach the cliff under the lighthouse, where homage is paid to the statue of Christ. Once back in port, the statue is returned to the Church of the Madonna del Porto, where it can be admired for the rest of the year.
The Feast of the Assumption in Capraia ends with a fireworks display that illuminates the island.
