The legend of the "Varvuole"

Slow Tour

27 January 2020

Slow Tour

The legend of the "Varvuole"

The legend of the Varvuole, the horrible witches of the sea, originated centuries ago at the time of the raids of Dalmatian pirates: the Uscocchi.

They were frightening witches, who came from the sea dressed in rags and had hair that looked like iron wires and eyes like two burning embers. No villager wanted to run into one of them because they used to scream horrendously and kidnap children.
Their arrival was announced by Zef the crier who, walking through the streets of the city, played his drum to sound the alarm. The women ran home, closed the doors, rubbed the windows with garlic and poured holy water into every corner of the house to protect their children.
In town, no one took Zef's drum lightly; everyone ran to get ready.

Legend has it that every year these witches return from the sea on glass boats to kidnap children who have behaved badly.

On January 5, the heart of Grado hosts the re-enactment of this legend.
The procession of the crier, together with the women, starts from Piazza Biagio Marin, in front of the Town Hall. It continues along the dam and reaches Porto Mandracchio, where the audience can watch the arrival of these howling witches from the sea aboard their “batele” (typical lagoon boats).

Being a spectator of this re-enactment is really beautiful and exciting: Porto Mandracchio is filled with a surreal atmosphere, between the lights, the fog and the chilling screams of the witches the audience witnesses the jaw-dropping “batele dance”.
Then, the witches land and face the women of the town who brandish garlic and crucifixes.
Finally, the procession reaches the Basilica and continues up to the steps of the dam where the witches perform a dance.

On January 5, cover yourself well and spend the eve of the Epiphany in Grado in the company of the Varvuole, it will be worth it, because you will have a wonderful experience!

Ideal for families, couples and groups of friends.

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Federica Cardinali

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I'm Federica Cardinali, I was born in Friuli-Venezia Giulia in 1981. I love travelling, animals and photography. I have two dogs: Pucio and Penny, two Pembroke Welsh Corgis that get up to mischief and often give me interesting inspiration for my blog.
Ilmiogirointornoalmondo, the blog I created in 2017, is a diary of travel experiences in Italy and abroad, with or without my furry friends.
I currently live in Friuli-Venezia Giulia and Veneto.
I am a freelance professional and fundraiser.
The Hashtags I usually use are: #ilmiogirointornoalmondo #nelfrattempoinitalia #nelfrattempoineuropa #FlyingCorgis