SEARCH THIS BLOG
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Gara a Stresa on San'Ambrogio Day
4:49 PM |
Dana Kaplan,
Stresa Sights |
Edit Post
Did you know there’s a war going on in Stresa? It’s true… and it’s been going on now for years and years. Luckily though, the battles only happen once every year, on December 7, San’Ambrogio’s Day. On that day, this normally peaceful little city becomes the scene of the Gara a Stresa, the heated rivalry betweens the Borromei and Viscontei families. All in good fun of course, Stresa is divided evenly down the center at Via Roma. In the past, teams representing both factions battled it out with such contests and competitions as the tiro alla fune, otherwise known as tug-of-war, and the palo della cuccagna, which is a physical challenge involving a tall pole with prizes hung from the top, and men scaling each other's shoulders in order to reach them. Nowadays, however, the conflict has been moved to the relative safety of the soccer field, and a calcio, soccer, match between teams representing each family.
Labels:
just for fun
Follow On Facebook For More Posts
SOME IMPORTANT DATES
Visit The Stresa Tourist Office For Complete Event Schedules
STRESA SIGHTS by DANA KAPLAN
READERS' QUESTIONS
- Where can I buy foreign newspapers in Stresa?
- Where can I eat breakfast in Stresa?
- Where are the public restrooms in Stresa?
- Can I rent a wheelchair in Stresa?
- Should I buy train tickets in advance?
- Are there any day tours to Switzerland from Stresa?
- How can I arrange a civil wedding in Stresa?
- How bad are the summer bugs in Stresa?
- Do I Need A Car In Stresa?
- Is there an Internet cafe in Stresa?
- Is it too isolated staying at an Isola dei Pescatori hotel?
IMPORTANT POSTS AND LINKS
- Top Ten Things to See in Stresa
- Swimming, Hiking, Outdoor Activities
- Weather
- Important Train Information
- Alibus Shuttle From Malpensa to Stresa
- Driving Directions From Malpensa - With Photos
- If You Have Only One Day in Stresa
- Parking a Car in Stresa
- Train Service from Malpensa to Stresa and Milano
- Supermarkets, Food Shops, and Fast Food
- Laundromats
- Linate Airport to Stresa Directions
- Milan Tram System Map and Transport
- Bus Schedule
- Stresa Boat Imbarcadero
- Stresa to Mottarone Cableway
- Boat Schedule - English
- PosteItaliane - Postal service
- Trenitalia Site and Schedule -- English
- Winter Trip to Stresa? Start Planning Here
READ ABOUT...
- art and culture
- books
- churches
- day trips
- events
- food
- for kids
- FYI
- gardens
- history
- interviews
- just for fun
- learning italian
- letters from readers
- letters from the editor
- milan
- museums
- music
- nature
- news and information
- outdoor activities
- photo gallery
- Piemonte
- places to go
- places to go and day trips
- places to stay
- rainy day activities
- restaurants
- risotto
- shopping
- spring
- stresa
- summer
- things to do
- tours
- transportation
- videos
- walks
- wine
- winter