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Many of the local parishes
organise some spectacular processions over
the Easter period, especially that of Christ's
Passion (Via Crucis) on Good Friday.
Then on Easter Sunday there's the famous
Procession of the Risen Christ in Tarquinia
There are more religious processions at
various other times of year, such as the
"Corpus Domini" processions in
June (Folklore) when the streets are adorned
with flowers, and during the traditional
"Ferragosto" celebrations, even
on the high seas and underwater, often accompanied
by spectacular firework displays. Not to
mention Piansano's "Madonna del
Rosario" and Viterbo's exceptional
"Macchina di Santa Rosa" in September.
Tarquinia
Easter Sunday. This event has pagan
roots, a demonstration of force and ability.
A wooden figure of the Risen Christ (1831
by Tenerani/Bartolomeo Canini, Canova School)
leaves the church of San Giuseppe and is
carried at a trot by 16 strong young men
through the streets. Before this, however,
a series of "penitents" bear large
heavy oak crosses decorated with flowers,
plus local hunters with their weapons, symbolising
the passage of the Saviour, shooting in
the air. And, of course, the local brass
band.
Curiosity: local legend has it that the
wooden statue was carved by a prisoner who
then became blind upon completion of the
work.
Piansano
1st Sunday in October. The statue of
the Madonna del Rosario is carried in procession
through the streets of the town. The original
robes (dating back to the 1700s) are removed
and put into safekeeping by the parish priest,
while the statue wears an exact copy, embroidered
with gold and silver thread. The Madonna
carries a bunch of roses in her hand and
collects ex voto as the procession evolves.
These are then kept in a safe in Viterbo
and include a gold crown donated by Pope
Pius IX in 1863. A group of faithful look
after the statue - called the Zelatrici
- while it is carried on the shoulders of
Facchini wearing white tunics trimmed with
gold during the procession. Those who have
received a favour walk barefooted behind
the statue of the Madonna.
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Versione Italiana
