On the 14th of February is not only Valentine's Day, the day of lovebirds, but Sorrento, celebrates the patron saint, St. Anthony, a saint revered and loved by the inhabitants of the land of the Sirens.
The church dedicated to the saint, located in St. Anthony's Square, a stone's throw from Piazza Tasso, is one of the most beautiful church of the city, and one of the richest in the eyes of art.
In addition to the paintings portraying the life of the saint, in the basilica are preserved six ovals depicting the six holy Patrons of Sorrento painted by Carlo Amalfi. In the crypt are also guarded numerous ex-votos evidencing the great attachment of the inhabitants towards the patron, to which many miracles are attributed. Among the most famous miracles there is the miracle of the whale. The story tells that one day a child was playing on a beach in Sorrento, when he was swallowed by a whale. His mother, afflicted, asked the intervention of the saint who was able to rescue the child. Very devoted to the saint are also the seamen of the Sorrento Peninsula which celebrates the patronage of the sailors on the 14th February.
The festive atmosphere involves the entire city that is filled with stalls and newsstand to go out with a bang with the spectacular fireworks show. But the highlight is the procession that winds around the perimeter of the city and which summons oldest congregations, people and authorities. As a well-established tradition, the statue of the saint walks throughout the city.
Sorrento is, as you well know, one of the homelands of good food. Could it miss a cake dedicated to the saint? Not, of course! People which visit Sorrento can enjoy the "cake of St. Anthony", a very simple sweet dish made with short pastry and double stuffed with chocolate and white cherries cream.
Spending Valentine's Day in Sorrento is an excellent chance of living a romantic Sorrento and dressed up!
