The Night of the Pirates in Porto Ercole
One of the most awaited and attended events of the Argentario is definitely “The Night of the Pirates”. The event takes place during a spring weekend in Porto Ercole, a small village located on the southern side of Monte Argentario.
It is a folkloristic event, playful, but with strong references to local history. Over time La Notte dei Pirati has established itself as a tourist attraction: a curious opportunity to visit Porto Ercole and the Argentario territory.
During the event the village turns into a den of pirates. The streets, squares and clubs of the old town are decorated with themes and many people wear pirate costumes.
The towns of Argentario were often the target of attacks by Mediterranean pirates. Assaults and looting were for centuries the greatest terror of the inhabitants. This is precisely the atmosphere that the party wants to evoke.
The 2018 edition is scheduled for the weekend of 4 – 5 – 6 May.
The most awaited event of the entire Night of the Pirates is the Saturday parade with thousands of costumed figures passing through the village until reaching the port. Ipirates then take off on their boats and then assault the local beaches with cannon shots, smoke and screams: it is the “Conquest of Porto Ercole”. In front of thousands of spectators, the landing of the Corsair Barbarossa of 1544 is recreated, when as many as 200 inhabitants of Porto Ercole were taken prisoner.
Following is the “Treasure Hunt in the Night”. All the crews challenge each other with games of all kinds to recover the treasure of Porto Ercole: 10 silver coins covered with gold.
On Sunday there is the “Corsairs Regatta” which involves 6 sailboats with crews dressed as pirates.
Check out the event on the official website.