A hundred men shoulder a luminous tower through stone streets that have witnessed centuries. Darkness blankets the city, broken only by a monument of light that seems to float. It’s the sacred, surreal, incredible Macchina di Santa Rosa festival in Viterbo. For one night each year, on 3 September, this town 90 km north of Rome, long revered as the city of the popes, becomes a living stage for a one-of-a-kind event.
Faith, artistry, and daring engineering converge in a collective act of devotion. The parade is so unique that UNESCO has recognised it as part of Italy’s intangible cultural heritage. Here’s what you need to know if you want to see it for yourself.
