May Day in Italy is a national holiday and there is always a parade or something fun occurring.
In Viterbo we watched a medieval event which began at the Palazzo dei Priori, the Popes' residence in the 12th c.
There was a beautiful Infiorata in the Piazza del Plebiscito - a design made on the street and created from very small clippings of different colored flowers.
Davide (Rossana & Marco's son) and Tony watching the parade.
When Davide heard we wanted to see the events, he immediately volunteered to be our guide. What a tremendous help!! When we encountered mobs of people, he took shortcuts through alleys that eventually led us to the front of the event!! Grazie Davide!!!
And when we needed more cell phone minutes, Davide found a store and arranged for the minutes!!
Other Scenes in San Pellegrino
Isn't this atmosphere very medieval?
All of the above activity occurred in the old medieval quarter of San Pellegrino, the location of our apartment.
In the 13th c, Viterbo was a rival to Rome and became the residence of Popes who came here to avoid the heat, humidity and insect infested swamps of Rome. The San Pellegrino neighborhood is the oldest section of Viterbo with medieval houses, towers, arches and external staircases.
After the parade we took an historical tour with Rossana and Davide.
Original Etruscan foundation in Viterbo
City's coat of arms
Tony, Rossana and Davide listening to the tour guide.
Every September Viterbo celebrates the Festival of Santa Rosa. 100 STRONG men carry an immense statue on their shoulders through the town to the Church of Santa Rosa. The above picture shows a replica of the statue. Look at the proportion of the statue to the size of the men. The statute is 326m or 1,070 feet tall and weighs over 1,000 pounds or 500 kilograms.
Underground Viterbo
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