Macchina di Santa Rosa
The Macchina di Santa Rosa is a thirty -meter-high tower, which is built in Viterbo in honor of the town's patron saint Santa Rosa every year in the months of July and August.
Overview
On the evening of 3 September each year, the Macchina is of a hundred men, the so-called " Facchini di Santa Rosa" (Italian for the support of Santa Rosa ) and lifted up and along a stretch of just over a kilometer through the sometimes very narrow road courts of the medieval town center worn.
The transport of the Macchina is symbolically back to the transfer of the body of Saint Rosa. This was at the direction of Pope Alexander IV of the former church of Santa Maria Poggio in the church of Santa Maria delle Rose (now the chapel of Santa Rosa ) was added in 1258.
Construction
Every five years, announced a design competition for a new Macchina. The competition rules see a 28 m high tower, measured from the shoulders of the carrier, before. The construction may weigh up to five tonnes and have a maximum of 4.3 m wide. Herewith some narrow places of the historical center are taken into account, where eaves and balconies might affect the Macchina.
The appearance of the Macchina has changed throughout history. The altars used in the 18th century developed more and more into steeple -like constructions and in the second half of the 20th century to the 30 meter high sculptural towers.
While originally mainly papier was used today refractory lightweight materials such as steel, aluminum and fiberglass are used.
Since 2009 is the new Macchina di Santa Rosa " Fiore del Cielo ". This was designed by the architectural firm Architecture and Vision ( Arturo Vittori and Andreas Vogler ). The design is characterized by yourself upward spiraling golden helix surfaces. Compared to the previous Macchina several innovations were introduced, such as the golden hues and over 1200 computer-controlled LED lights that illuminate handmade textile roses. A special stage design was developed, which also provides a shower of rose petals on the spectators.
Transport
The transport of the Macchina di Santa Rosa is the main annual event in the city of Viterbo. Starting the afternoon, filling the streets of the historic center with city residents and visitors who are waiting for the transport of the tower in the dark of night.
The transport starts at the Porta Romana, where the Macchina assembled in a covered with cloths scaffolding is. Against 20 clock the 800 candles are lit on the Macchina. The street lighting of the city is completely turned off. To 21 clock lift the carrier ( "i Facchini " ), the 5 -ton Macchina in the air and run, cheered by the audience, the first path of the Macchina from.
During transport is five times stopped. During these breaks, the Macchina is placed on special racks. Breakpoints are:
- Piazza Fontana Grande
- Piazza del Plebiscito ( front of City Hall )
- Piazza delle Erbe
- Corso Italia ( in front of the church of Santa Maria del Suffrage )
- Piazza del Teatro.
The last stretch up to the church of Santa Rosa has a considerable slope. To this end is pulled by means of ropes and additional people the Macchina and parked in front of the Sanctuary, where she remains on display for several days. The transport is operated directly by some Italian TV stations.