September Festivals in Italy

Throughout Italy, there are many festivals the first Sunday in September as summer comes to an end. Mary Jane Cryan of Elegant Etruria sent me this information about a fabulous festival in Viterbo in Northern Lazio:

"On September 3rd a 30 metre tall lighted tower known as the Macchina di Santa Rosa is paraded through the darkened streets of the city of Viterbo. The tradition goes back to the 16th century and honors the city's protectress, Santa Rosa. Underneath are 100 porters (facchini) who bear the weight of 5 tons on their shoulders. The definition of "walking church tower" given to the macchina is appropriate for past models have been decorated with cathedral-like steeples and pinnacles. Unlike the divisory festivals such as the Palio in Siena, the Santa Rosa festival unites the various sections of the city."

Macchina di Santa Rosa story and photo
Northern Lazio Travel Resources
More September Festivals in Italy