Facchini, the historical parade and concludes with a fair.
The weekend before September 3, the center of Viterbo comes alive with tables organized by Sodalizio dei Facchini, the association that brings together all the car carriers, where you can have dinner with the porters. The menu is based on traditional dishes and is prepared by the Pro Loco of the neighboring towns of Viterbo.
September 2 is the day dedicated to the historical parade that starts from the Cathedral of Santa Rosa after the mayor gives the 'Silver Mazza', symbol of the temporal power of the papacy. The procession consists of over 300 people in historical clothes and is opened by Terziari Francescani who carry a cross and are followed by girls dressed by Rosine. They dress like the nuns in a gray-violet habit and have a basket full of roses and candles.
The figures are dressed in clothes that follow the medieval style and of the following centuries up to 1700.
The religious part of the procession is represented by the porters carrying the reliquary with the heart of Santa Rosa.
The day and the evening of September 3 are dedicated to the procession with the great Car of Santa Rosa which is located in front of the Church of San Sisto where it had been assembled in the previous days. After the blessing of the bishop to the porters, at 8 o'clock in the evening the car moves in an evocative route illuminated only by its lights and candles.
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Picture by Giulia Venanzi[/caption]
The machine, which takes its name from the machines of the ancient Greek theatrical performances, is over 30 meters high and weighs 50 quintals. It is chosen every 5 years with a competition and there is a museum that tells the story of all the Santa Rosa machines starting from the first editions in a simple version of 1258.
Porters and car follow the same route traveled during the translation of the body of Santa Rosa and make 5 stops along the way.
The next day there is a solemn mass and the Fiera di Santa Rosa, a large artisan market with goods of all kinds and the excellent agricultural food products of Tuscia.
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