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What does the Invernacciu represent in Pitigliano?

The’Invernacciu is a large effigy made of canes and plants that represents winter: at Pitigliano, it is burned to symbolically mark its end and the arrival of spring. So it is neither a dish nor a wine, despite the gastronomic category of the question.

The ceremony takes place on the March 19th, lors de la Torciata di San Giuseppe. The torch bearers parade through the village and then set fire to the effigy; the ritual takes place as part of the Saint Joseph celebrations. The appearance of the effigy can change from one year to the next, with plant elements used to shape its face.

If you were looking for a specialty to taste, the Invernacciu is not one: it is a popular tradition around fire and the passing of the seasons. You can however take advantage of your visit to discover local products, notably the wines of Pitigliano, but they are not part of the ritual itself.

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What I like about this ritual is that it turns the passing of the seasons into a collective spectacle, not just a date on a calendar. If you attend, observe the details of the effigy: they change from one edition to the next.

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