HERBS OF SAN GIOVANNI
🌿St John’s herbs: Between Botany and Magic
Forte San Giovanni, the evening of 23 June
This event is part of the natural environment enhancement program in which Forte San Giovanni is located, organised by the Liguria Regional Directorate of National Museums, which guides and coordinates Liguria's state museums and cultural venues, in collaboration with the CAI of Finale Ligure.
The June event is dedicated to the herbs of San Giovanni and to the tradition involving plants, sun, and water on the shortest night of the year. Herbs collect the energy of the sun, at its maximum on the days of the summer solstice, and transfer magical properties into the water, which, according to a popular belief that we like to indulge, can ward off the evil eye, diseases and ailments from which we must constantly defend ourselves! The pre-Christian tradition was later traced back to Saint John the Baptist, patron saint of Finale Ligure. The quintessential St. John's wort is St. John's wort, in bloom, not coincidentally, on the solstice days, but many other herbs accompany it in its function: we'll meet them in the Forte garden and on the paths leading to the Becchignolo hill.
📍 Meeting point and times
- Meet: 7:30 pm at Fort San Giovanni on June 23rd; visit the Fort, garden, and moat, followed by a picnic dinner outdoors.
- At 8:30 pm, the presentation dedicated to the tradition of the herbs of San Giovanni, followed by the herb recognition walk at dusk and finally, back at the Forte, the preparation of the bouquet of San Giovanni and the instructions for obtaining the “miraculous” water.
The programme is being finalised and may be subject to change.
📊 Technical details
- Length: 1.5 km
- Elevation gain: 80 m
- Difficulty: The hike is accessible to all walkers, even those with little experience.
🎒 What to bring with you
- Hiking/trail or gymnastics shoes with non-smooth soles
- Comfortable clothing
- Headlamp (recommended)
- Possible packed dinner by the participants.
💰 Costs
- The activity is included in the cost of the entrance ticket to the Fort:
- € 3.00 standard ticket
- € 2.00 reduced admission for 18-25 years
- Free for under 18 years.
📝 Registrations
- To participate, you must register by Sunday, June 21st, by filling out the online form at https://linktr.ee/visitfinalese (direct link: https://forms.gle/e1wmrgUUr5AFmvik6).
- Within the form, non-CAI members must provide their first name, surname, and tax code, which are required to activate daily accident insurance. CAI members (Finale or other sections) must provide their card number or can register through the contact information of the CAI Finale Ligure section secretariat.
👤 Organiser
Serinus Studio Naturalistico
Environmental Hiking Guide: Francesca Magillo
📞 Info: 333 8771184
Contacts and info
Do you have any doubts or questions? Contact us now, we will be happy to help you organize your holiday in the Finale Outdoor Region.
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