Events - Costa degli Etruschi

from Saturday, May 19, 2012 to Sunday, May 20, 2012
Cecina - Folklore events and fairs

maggiolino show

The international VW Beetle rally known as the Maggiolino Show takes place every two years in Cecina, calling on all admirers of this now cult car. The event includes shows, sports, and food and wine tastings.

Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Livorno - Sport events, Folklore events and fairs

coppa santa giulia

Livorno's rowing season begins on 22nd May with the Coppa Santa Giulia, on the occasion of the feast day dedicated to the city's patron saint. The competition, divided into men's and women's races, takes place after dark, starting and finishing on the body of water opposite the Scali delle Cantine. Two boats take part in each race which covers a distance of about 800 metres. The boats, representing the city's various districts, make a complete circuit from the starting line.

June / September 2012
Suvereto - Shows and festivals, Folklore events and fairs, Wine and food events

summer in suvereto

Estate Suveretana (‘summer in Suvereto') runs from June to September, offering a full programme of concerts, shows, festivals, and food, wine, oil and local produce events. In July, the Serate Medievali (‘medieval evenings') involve faithful re-enactments with people in costume, medieval coinage, a market of ancient products, knights, musicians and acrobats, as well as weddings in historical dress. There is a sumptuous medieval dinner in the San Francesco cloister, using authentic recipes. In the old town centre there are tastings for passers-by.

from Sunday, June 03, 2012 to Saturday, June 16, 2012
Livorno - Sport events, Folklore events and fairs

rowing races: coppa barontini e risi'atori

Every year in the waterfront city of Livorno, with its sporting and marine traditions, a series of rowing races takes place between the city's districts: a challenge deeply rooted in local history. Each district, or rione, has its own coat of arms and colours which reflect their origins and traditions. The white and yellow colours of the Benci-Centro district are those recalled in the film “Ovo sodo” by the Livornese director Paolo Virzì. The Coppa Barontini, competed at the end of June, is one of the most suggestive and spectacular of these events. It takes place after dark, the teams representing the city's districts competing in a timed race which takes place in the Medici canals, through the historical quarters of the city, all lit up for the event. The race is watched by an enthusiastic audience from the bridges and parapets along the canals. The 17th-century Medici law which gave the right to land to the fastest boats represents the historical roots of the Coppa Risiatori, a rowing race that takes place in open sea at the end of June. “Arrisicare” means to risk, to jeopardise one's life in the struggle against the sea. The boats start from the Meloria tower, historic symbol of sea battles, and cover a distance of 7.6 km, finishing in the port.

from Saturday, June 09, 2012 to Sunday, June 10, 2012
Castiglioncello - Folklore events and fairs, Wine and food events

festa del pesce

This characteristic event of fish cuisine takes place at Caletta, a small seaside resort near Castiglioncello. A huge frying pan is set up on the seafront, ready to fry hundreds of kilos of tasty fish. Stands and open-air restaurants complete the scene.

from Saturday, June 16, 2012 to Sunday, June 17, 2012
Livorno, San Vincenzo, Piombino, Castiglioncello, Vada, Baratti - Populonia, Marina di Bibbona, Cecina Mare, Quercianella, Rosignano Solvay, Donoratico, Marina di Castagneto - Shows and festivals

la notte blu nella costa degli etruschi - una festa per l'estate che inizia

Along the entire Costa degli Etruschi, in Livorno, Quercianella, Rosignano, Castiglioncello, Vada, Cecina, Castagneto Carducci, San Vincenzo and Piombino, the municipalities where the Blue Flag flies, this is a night dedicated to entertainment, sport, food and wine tastings, markets, museum visits, concerts, shopping, and much more, all brought together by the colour blue of the flag, the sea, the sky... and the night. This great event takes place throughout the area in June.

from Friday, June 22, 2012 to Sunday, June 24, 2012
Vada - Folklore events and fairs

vada sull'aia

A festival offering a chance to taste typical Tuscan dishes, experience local arts and crafts, take part in games from days gone by, farmyard dancing, excursions, threshing and many other interesting activities.

July / August 2012
Livorno - Shows and festivals, Folklore events and fairs

effetto venezia

The magical Effetto Venezia event takes place over ten days each year when theatre and concerts bring Livorno's historical Venezia quarter to life. Inspired by the Mediterranean, the festival of voices, lights, sounds and colours comes alive in the narrow streets and courtyards, on the bridges and in the historical buildings and squares that represent the city's oldest and liveliest heart. The district that hosts the event and which shares the name of the Lagoon city, Venice, because of its canals, fills up with stands and craft exhibitions, side by side with the elegant antique shops that line the main streets. The Medici canals can be explored on a characteristic boat trip which gives visitors an original and suggestive view of Livorno from the water.

July 2012
Livorno - Folklore events and fairs

rowing races

The Palio Marinaro (4 July 2010) is contested in open sea, opposite the Terrazza Mascagni, between the port and the Bagni Pancaldi bathing lido, a point that affords one of the most beautiful views on the Tuscan coastline. It is Livorno's most important rowing event which creates excitement throughout the city. The Palio began in the 1400s, as a regatta in honour of Cosimo de' Medici. Over the centuries the race was transformed into the ultimate challenge between the city districts. The winning district is awarded the standard, known as the Palio after the Sienese tradition. The spectacular Palio dell'Antenna takes place in the Porto Mediceo and involves a race to capture the flag attached to the top of a pole, contended by the four best rowing teams.

August 2012
Piombino - Wine and food events

agosto con gusto

This August gastronomic event takes place in the suggestive setting of Pro Patria Gardens of Piombino where the area's wines are presented. To accompany them, the flavours of the Costa degli Etruschi, with delicious samples of dishes made from ingredients from the sea and the land. The event offers a menu arising from the passion for cooking and the professionality of the well known Chef Giorgio Niccolini.

August 2012
Campiglia M.ma - Shows and festivals, Folklore events and fairs, Wine and food events

agosto campigliese

The enchanting setting of the Rocca di Campiglia hosts the “Cena Medievale “, a banquet for more than 100 diners made up of medieval dishes, strictly lacking in any of the ingredients introduced into the diet after the discovery of America. Tables are lit up by torchlight, while dancers and medieval music surround diners. Performances, visual displays, food and wine events, exhibitions and cultural activities will be alternated to recreate an enchanted atmosphere of poetry and magic against the ideal backdrop provided by the medieval village.

August 2012
Livorno - Visual Arts and art exhibitions

premio rotonda

This exhibition takes place in the characteristic pinewood loved by Fattori and Modigliani. It brings together more than a hundred artists from Livorno and elsewhere, of various artistic trends. The exhibition began as an extemporary art competition in 1953, from an idea by Mario Borgiotti

August 2012
Castagneto C., Suvereto - Wine and food events

calici di stelle

In collaboration with the Associazione Città del Vino and the Movimento del Turismo del Vino, the two communes organise a food and wine event inviting visitors to taste the wines in special goblets, and to sample various local products.

August / September 2012
Cecina - Shows and festivals, Folklore events and fairs

targa cecina

This event began in 1929 as a running race between the districts of the town. The original theme remains, but the event centres on a procession of allegorical floats. Each quarter prepares a colourful float to support its athlete taking part in the race, with the aim of winning the Targa. This gives rise to an explosion of creativity and imagination. To complement the themes of the floats, each district organises choreography, dances, performances and parades on the ground, to create a kind of joyful summer carnival in which the whole town takes part.

September 2012
Rosignano Solvay - Sport events, Wine and food events

la rotta del vino

In the enchanting marina of Cala de' Medici this sailing competition takes place not only between boats and crews, but also between chefs from important restaurants on the Costa degli Etruschi, and prestigious wine cellars. Dinners and tastings, cultural events and entertainment supplement the programme.

September 2012
Cecina - Fairs and markets

b.e.t.a. european market of associated tourism

Being closed in the summer months, a Tuscan meeting is the most obvious and adapted base given the tourist season. Dedicated to Italian Produce, BETA has always focused on the trends of its operators and aims to accommodate as many market players as possible.

October / January 2013
Livorno - Cultural events

opening of modigliani's house

The extraordinary opening of Amedeo Modigliani' house is strictly connected with the exhibition "I wanted to be a painter and became Picasso", housed in the Palazzo Blu in Pisa until 29 January. A specific agreement provides that whoever buys the ticket for this exhibition , can also have 1 euro discount for visiting Modigliani's house. It can also be visited in the morning on prior request.

October 2012
Sassetta - Folklore events and fairs

october fairs

The Feste di Ottobre (‘October fairs') that take place in Sassetta on the last three Sundays in the month, are characterised by gastronomic festivals and historical re-enactments. During the events, the village re-lives its medieval past through parades in historical costume, a display of flag waving, and the much-awaited “Palio dei Ciuchi” (donkey race) which is fiercely contested between the town's districts. Chestnuts, polenta and game form the basis of the gastronomic produce on offer, cooked to typical and traditional recipes.

November / December 2012
Suvereto - Folklore events and fairs

suvereto festival

During the first half of December, the old medieval town of Suvereto hosts a festival that has been held for more than 30 years. It focuses on local cuisine, performances, exhibitions, cultural initiatives, and folklore, combined to create a rich and varied programme. The initiatives include a historical procession, Suvereto's flag wavers, and a huge grill for the cooking of tasty meat. The undisputed protagonist in the kitchen is the wild boar, cooked to the most traditional recipes. Other local dishes can be tasted in the street, or at one of the participating restaurants.

December 2012
Rosignano M.mo - Folklore events and fairs

living nativity

In the days leading up to Christmas, the paved alleyways and the old storerooms of the Castello di Rosignano Marittimo are immersed in a magical atmosphere. More than 150 figures - dressed as characters from the nativity, centurions, Roman cavaliers, shepherds, and merchants - bring to life a new Bethlehem. It is a highly suggestive living nativity scene, an accurate representation of the birth of Jesus as it was passed down by the Evangelists. The nativity scene also encompasses ancient customs and crafts and involves the whole population of Rosignano Marittimo, a hilltop settlement constructed in the 10th century and fortified by the Medici.

April 2013
Castagneto C. - Wine and food events

castagneto a tavola

Promoted by the Comune di Castagneto Carducci and the Consorzio di Bolgheri Doc, this event is dedicated in particular to the relationship between the area and its wine and food. During the event, producers belonging to the Consorzio di Bolgheri Doc open their doors to the public for tours, tastings and seminars, allowing visitors to learn more about their wines and gain an insight into the historically unique and much-acclaimed estates like Sassicaia, Ornellaia, Grattamacco, Argentiera, Guado al Tasso, Castello di Bolgheri, Le Macchiole, and Michele Satta, producers of wines which have become symbols of the area, and leaders in the world of excellent Bolgheri wines. Gastronomic products can be sampled as tastings or eaten as part of the traditional Sunday lunch served in the square at Castagneto Carducci.

April 2013
Bibbona - Folklore events and fairs

festa del cedro and palio delle botti

The Festa del Cedro (‘citron festival') takes place on Easter Monday in the historic centre of Bibbona. It centres around a market selling arts and crafts and local produce, including the citron, to which the event is dedicated. During the afternoon, various games - including the traditional round of bingo - are organised in the village square, as well as concerts and tastings. In the evening there is a costume parade and the annual Palio delle Botti, the suggestive competition between Bibbona's districts which involves pushing barrels up the narrow village streets.

April / May 2013
Livorno - Sport events

trofeo accademia navale - città di livorno

This great spring sailing event began in 1981 and quickly became a traditional date on the Italian sailing calendar. The event highlights Livorno's marine and sailing traditions, but also involves cultural, social and artistic events which create a link with the mainland. TUTTOVELA is the Trofeo Accademia Navale Sailing Village situated in the Porto Mediceo. Each year it hosts new events to keep visitors entertained and informed. To complete the programme, there are exhibitions and conferences, and a chance to visit important ships such as the Amerigo Vespucci.

April 2013
Rosignano M.mo - Wine and food events

verdeoro

VerdeOro is an important showcase for the area's excellent local produce. During the event, visitors can call in on local producers, taste and purchase products, find out about new and unexpected aspects of the village, spend a pleasant weekend inside the walls of this medieval hamlet visiting palaces and museums or learning how to cook with famous chefs: VerdeOro is all this and more.

April 2013
Suvereto - Folklore events and fairs

palio delle botti

The Palio delle Botti is an event with ancient traditions held twice a year: in May the Palio di S. Croce, dedicated to the patron saint, and a preliminary stage in the national Palio delle Botti between the “Città del Vino” (‘wine towns'); and on 14th August the Palio dell'Imperatore, in memory of the emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, Henry VII of Luxemburg whose remains were preserved in Suvereto from 1313 to 1315. The barrel race, which is competed to win the Palio, is connected to the area's wine-growing tradition: it is a folkloristic competition between couples of “pushers” from various regions of Italy. Competitors have to run, pushing wooden barrels capable of holding 500kg of wine up and down the streets of the old town centre. Starting and finishing lines in Piazza V. Veneto.