We timed our trip to Positano perfectly. August 15 is the Feast of the Assumption, and the Italians take their religion very seriously.
I thought the fireworks were for my birthday at first. Apparently not.
The Feast of the Assumption is a celebration especially felt by the people of Positano for their devotion to Our Lady of the Assumption considered the protectress of the village. In particular, it recalls an ancient legend that tells of a ship, carrying a Byzantine icon of the Madonna, blocked by dead calm in the bay of Positano. And only when the sailors donated the icon to the inhabitants of Positano they were able to leave.
On August 14, the celebrations begin with the “Lift of the Picture” in front of the Church of Santa Maria Assunta. In the evening a procession of illuminated boats reach the rocks “Mother and Son” to the Fornillo and then return to Spiaggia Grande and the cathedral. On August 15, the feast continues into the night with a show of fireworks over the water that light up the Amalfi Coast.
We had the perfect view of the fireworks from our room.