{"id":11179,"date":"2016-03-07T18:22:31","date_gmt":"2016-03-07T17:22:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/italian\/?p=11179"},"modified":"2016-03-07T18:22:31","modified_gmt":"2016-03-07T17:22:31","slug":"gigantic-octopus-saves-italian-village","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/italian\/gigantic-octopus-saves-italian-village\/","title":{"rendered":"Gigantic Octopus Saves Italian Village"},"content":{"rendered":"

Given its ancient and varied history it almost goes without saying that the Italian Peninsula abounds in fascinating myths and legends. We unknowingly stumbled upon one of these a few years back whilst exploring what has since become our favourite location on the nearby Ligurian coast, the picturesque, but isolated village of Tellaro<\/a><\/span><\/strong> and its surrounds.<\/p>\n

\"Tellaro<\/a>

I Saraceni che infestavano il Mediterraneo sono stati sconfitti una notte poich\u00e9 un polpo faceva risuonare il sacro bronzo con i suoi tentacoli. The Saracens who infested the Mediterranean sea were defeated one night because an octopus made the sacred bronze ring with its tentacles.<\/span><\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

Serena\u2019s background in archaeology and her wealth of historical knowledge often comes in handy when we’re visiting new locations in Italy. She has a particular penchant for trying to translate Latin inscriptions. Hence it was that one such inscription on the colourful Chiesa di San Giorgio<\/strong> (Saint George’s Church<\/em>) in Tellaro came under her scrutiny and immediately grabbed her imagination. It wasn\u2019t until recently though that she chanced upon an article in a local magazine which explained in more detail the significance of this inscription.<\/p>\n

\"La<\/a><\/p>\n

The Chiesa di San Giorgio, built in the 16th century upon a spur of rock jutting out into the Ligurian sea, was, as is so often the case, far more than just a place of worship. In the 1600\u2019s, Tellaro was effectively a roccaforte<\/strong> (stronghold<\/em>)\u00a0protecting the wealthy village of Barbazzano, whose fortunes were built upon the production of high quality olive oil. Due to its wealth it often became a target for the Saracen pirates.
\nTellaro\u2019s defence was mainly based upon its strategic location amongst steep cliffs and the resulting difficulty in landing upon the nearby shores. But it also had an extremely effective alarm system which was provided by San Giorgio’s campanile<\/strong> (bell tower<\/em>).<\/p>\n

In case of attack, the lookout would ring the bells, thereby warning the villagers to take up the defence. Due to the difficulty of landing upon the shore when the sea was rough, attacks were far more likely to take place during periods of fair weather.
\nBut one dark and\u00a0stormy night (as all good tales begin) the people of Tellaro slept soundly in the knowledge that the tempestuous seas would protect them, or so they thought.<\/p>\n

\"Saraceni\"<\/a>
\nThe Saraceni<\/strong><\/a><\/span>, however, had different ideas. The inclement weather provided a perfect opportunity for a surprise attack. But as their ship came in close to the shore, and the pirates prepared to disembark the church bells suddenly began to clang aloud, the people leapt from their beds, and the pirates fled.<\/p>\n

\"polipus\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Who had given the alarm? It appears that a huge octopus had arisen from the sea and, twisting its tentacles around the bell ropes, had rung the bells with all its might.
\nTellaro\u00a0was saved, and since that day the mighty octopus who resides beneath the campanile has become the symbol of the village. This fabulous legend is celebrated every August in La Sagra del Polpo<\/a><\/strong><\/span>.<\/p>\n

Now, who\u2019d like to have a go at explaining the etymology of the Latin word POLYPUS<\/span><\/strong>?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"\"\"

Given its ancient and varied history it almost goes without saying that the Italian Peninsula abounds in fascinating myths and legends. We unknowingly stumbled upon one of these a few years back whilst exploring what has since become our favourite location on the nearby Ligurian coast, the picturesque, but isolated village of Tellaro and its…<\/p>\n

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