Porto Ercole is a beautiful Tuscan town located on the coast, on the eastern promontory of Monte Argentario, which was once an island but was connected to the mainland by two strips of land called tombolos that were formed by waves and tides forcing sand upwards and together several thousand years ago. Known for its chic shops, excellent restaurants, and vibrant nightlife, this pretty seaside town is already an excellent choice for a vacation on the Tuscan Coast. However, if you were thinking about finding a vacation rental on the Tuscan Coast and visiting the area around May, then there is one more great reason to seek out the town: the Night of the Pirates in Porto Ercole.
Taking place each May for around three days, usually during the first week of the month, the Night of the Pirates is a fun and unusual event that is unique to the town. During the three days of the festival, the town is overrun by pirates (or visitors and locals dressed as pirates, we should say) and there are several different events that take place over the course of the few days. It is a colourful and fun festival that takes local history and brings it to life in a vibrant, raucous, and campy way. The streets and establishments of the Old Town are decorated to evoke an earlier time, when real pirates would often the target the towns of Argentario.
Taking place each May for around three days, usually during the first week of the month, the Night of the Pirates is a fun and unusual event that is unique to the town. During the three days of the festival, the town is overrun by pirates (or visitors and locals dressed as pirates, we should say) and there are several different events that take place over the course of the few days. It is a colourful and fun festival that takes local history and brings it to life in a vibrant, raucous, and campy way. The streets and establishments of the Old Town are decorated to evoke an earlier time, when real pirates would often the target the towns of Argentario.
During the festival, there is a parade of costumed figures through the town to the port and then there is a recreation of the landing of the Corsair Barbarossa of 1544, in which as many as 200 inhabitants of Porto Ercole were taken prisoner, featuring lots of boats, attacks and landings on the beaches, smoke, screams, acting, and cannon shots. It is quite the thing to behold and draws thousands of spectators, as a result. There is also a giant treasure hunt, involving games and challenges, in which various “crews” compete to win the “treasure”. Then, on the last day there is the “Corsairs Regatta” which sees 6 sailboats (with crews dressed as pirates) race in the harbour. Finally, prizes are awarded for the best dressed crews, pirate coves, and more.
Lots of fun and quite wacky, this special event is a must if you are looking for something unusual and utterly unique to Tuscany.
Lots of fun and quite wacky, this special event is a must if you are looking for something unusual and utterly unique to Tuscany.