So, as promised, here I am writing about the infamous annual Santa Rosa festival in Viterbo. I will start with a little bit of background history. Santa Rosa (Saint Rose) became a Saint circa the 17^th century in Viterbo. She was born with a condition that is now called Pectus excavatum. It is a deformity where, either you are born or develop during puberty, several abnormal ribs and sternum. Normally back when Santa Rosa was alive it was known that children born with this condition only lived two or three years.

Part of Santa Rosa’s sainthood came from the fact that she lived until she was 18 years old with this condition, therefore named a saint. Also during her time, it was illegal and not accepted to associate with or give to the poor but Santa Rosa secretly helped the poor by feeding them, giving them clothing etc.

One day as she was carrying a sack of bread to the poor, the police stopped her to question her about the bread she had and to eventually arrest her for her illegal association with the poor.

It is said that by miracle, when the police asked her to see what was in her sack, all the bread turned into roses. Therefor she was not trialed and became even more famous. Santa Rosas body was conserved and put it the church where you can see her body today.

The festival in Viterbo is the biggest holiday and “festa” (party) all year. For 12 months people prepare and wait for Santa Rosa.

The main attraction of Santa Rosa is, la Macchina di Santa Rosa, which is a 5 ton, 7 story tall tower carried through the winding and narrow streets of Viterbo. It is not carried by truck, or wheels but on the shoulders and backs of 100 local men called the “facchini.”

The men range from 18 to 60 years old. It is considered a huge honor to carry the macchina, which could technically end in death, and disasters were something to go wrong. There is a man with a megaphone in front of la macchina preaching and yelling motivational sayings to the men like “forza!” “andiamo!” “viva Santa Rosa!”

It is all extremely overwhelming and beautiful. The dedication, motivation and importance linked to this event are truly incredible.  The macchina is carried from one side of town to the other ending at the great Church where Santa Rosa’s body is. The insane detail of that last part is that the facchini RUN with the macchina to the church because it is at the top of a small hill. As I said, incredible…

The macchina is taken apart and changed every six years. There is a contest where people submit their designs and the most practical and liked design wins becomes the new macchina di Santa Rosa.

As you can imagine all of this is just breathtaking to see, especially if you have not heard or known anything about it beforehand like my classmates and myself.  Millions of people from all around the world come to see this spectacular event, so if you have the chance, come experience it, it’s completely worth it, and you’ll never forget it!

Ciao ciao!

Viva Santa Rosa!