A Night Lit by the Sea: Cetara’s Lampare Festival, 31 July – 2 August 2025
By Susy Pepe – Photos by Michele Abbagnara
For one night, the sea becomes a story, fishing returns to ritual, and Cetara opens its nets to those willing to listen, learn, and let themselves be guided. The glow of the lampare, traditional fishing lamps, lights up the water, revealing not just fish, but where we come from.
The Night of the Lampare
In Cetara, there’s one night when the sea stops being a backdrop and returns to what it once was: a livelihood, an identity, a living tale. The Notte delle Lampare, from 31 July to 2 August 2025, is more than just an event, it’s a rare opportunity to witness the world of one of Italy’s most storied fishing communities.
Beneath the open sky of the Amalfi Coast, between the inky blackness of the water and the glow of the full moon, boats set out alongside local fishermen who head offshore each night in search of anchovies. The lampare, large, glowing lamps, are switched on above the calm water. Behind you, the coast fades into darkness, marked only by the scattered lights of cliffside villages. All around: silence.
In this hushed, dreamlike atmosphere, the sea breathes in slow rhythm. The fishermen move quickly, precisely, as if performing a choreography they’ve known since childhood. Visitors are invited aboard to observe a nocturnal re-enactment of this ancient fishing method, still practiced each summer, guided by the lunar cycle. You’ll witness every step: the search for anchovy shoals, the glow of the lamps, the casting and hauling of the nets.
Fishing, Still Alive and Well
In Cetara, fishing isn’t folklore, it’s a way of life. Over 60% of the town’s residents still make their living from the sea, in a part of the Amalfi Coast more often associated with tourism than with tuna boats and salted anchovies. But here, nestled between the harbour and the old watchtower, tradition lives on. Even the name “Cetara” comes from cetarii, Latin for “fishmongers.”
During the festival, this deep bond with the sea becomes something visitors can not only observe but feel. Alongside the night at sea, the three-day programme offers local food stalls, cultural workshops, concerts, and talks on maritime traditions. On the pier, you can sample local dishes made from pesce azzurro (Mediterranean blue fish), and of course, the star of Cetara’s cuisine: Colatura di Alici DOP, a rich anchovy extract crafted through a slow, artisanal process dating back to Roman times.
A Chance to See the Real Cetara
Attending the Notte delle Lampare offers a chance to experience Cetara beyond the postcards. This is a town where the past and present live side by side. Tourism hasn’t replaced tradition, it complements it. As you wander through the salt-scented alleys, you’ll hear the stories of old fishermen and see young hands learning the trade.
And then you’ll climb aboard, into the night that becomes more than just a setting, it becomes a stage. Every movement, every word, takes on deeper meaning.
Programme Highlights
📅 Thursday 31 July 2025
📍 Largo Marina – From 6:00 PM: Traditional street games
📍 Piazza San Francesco – 8:30 PM: Cooking contest + live anchovy sauce tapping with tastings
📍 Largo Marina – From 10:00 PM: Videomapping + live music by I Figli del Vesuvio (Free entry)
📅 Friday 1 August 2025
📍 Main town street – From 9:00 PM: Parade in traditional dress with Trombonieri and flag bearers from Monte Castello (Cava de’ Tirreni)
📍 Largo Marina – From 10:00 PM: Videomapping + concert by Radispina (Free entry)
📅 Saturday 2 August 2025
📍 Molo Madonnina – From 8:00 PM: Night fishing demonstration + tasting experience
📍 Largo Marina – From 10:00 PM: Videomapping + concert “Core in Fabula” by Dadà (Free entry)
Need-to-Know Info
📍 Location: Cetara (SA) – Harbour & Historic Centre
🗓 Dates: 31 July – 2 August 2025
🎟 Tickets & Reservations:
→ www.postoriservato.it
→ Agenzia Ce.Tour (Cetara)
→ Newsstand, Via Mazzini (Salerno)
📩 Contact: forumgiovanicetara@hotmail.com
