Saint Rose Carriage

The Machine of Santa Rosa is a cornerstone event of the tradition of Viterbo, celebrated every year on September 3rd. This spectacular religious event involves the transport of an impressive structure, about 30 meters high and weighing several tons, through the narrow streets of the historic center of Viterbo. The Machine is a mobile work of art, decorated with statues, lights, and sacred symbols, entirely dedicated to the patron saint of the city, Santa Rosa.

The transport is entrusted to the "facchini di Santa Rosa," a group of about 100 men who, with incredible strength and coordination, lift the Machine on their shoulders and carry it along a route that passes through the main streets of the city. This journey, called "trasporto," is a physical and spiritual undertaking that requires months of preparation and intense training for the facchini.

The atmosphere during the evening is electrifying: the streets are crowded with spectators who, holding their breath, follow the slow progress of the Machine. Each stop along the way is marked by applause and encouragement, while the structure rises above the crowd, illuminating the night with its sparkling lights. The Machine is renewed every few years, with new projects and decorations that keep the tradition alive while always offering something new to admire.

This event is much more than a simple religious procession: it is an experience that unites the entire community of Viterbo in an act of devotion, pride, and celebration of their cultural identity. The Machine of Santa Rosa represents the strength of faith and the dedication of the people of Viterbo to their patron saint, in a spectacle that attracts thousands of visitors and devotees from all over Italy every year. Since 2013, it has been recognized as intangible cultural heritage of humanity by UNESCO.