The Macchina of Santa Rosa is an annual celebration in the city of Viterbo!! Santa Rosa is the patron of Viterbo, she lived during the XIII century.Every year Viterbo celebrates this event with a huge manifestation, called La Macchina di Santa Rosa, where a big tower decorated with lights, tall about 30m, is carried around the city by circa 100 strong men.
The first Macchina was organized in 1258, when the body of Santa Rosa was transferred from the Church of Santa Maria in Poggio to the Church dedicated to her by order of Pope Alexander IV. Since then every year this event is celebrated to commemorate the day. So September 3rd is a very important day for all the people of Viterbo and for the curious tourists.
If you want to know more and you are in Italy go and have a visit to Viterbo, the Macchina is tonight at 9pm.
More information in Italian from:
http://www.infoviterbo.it/viterbo_la_macchina_di_santa_rosa.htm
