Rome

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FESTA DE’ NOATRI

ROME, ITALY

JULY 18-25

As the story goes, after a storm many years go, a group of local men caught a beautiful carved cedar statue of the Virgin Mary in their fishing nets. Its discovery inspired much reverence by locals, particularly monks in the area. Each year since then, in a typical Roman holiday, 30 monks hoist the statue on their shoulders through the nifty neighborhood of Trastevere, where impromptu markets and exhibits line the streets in celebration.

Modern Rome is often inextricably linked to its religious traditions – if you want to get a true slice of city culture and celebration in this vein, it’d be worth your while to check out Festa de’ Noatri. The statue, named Madonna Fiumarola, makes a trip around the neighborhood to various chants and cheers in hopes of receiving her blessings for the area.

Not only is the parade itself a marvel — it starts each evening at 6:30 — but it gives one an excellent introduction to one of the most beloved neighborhoods in all of Italy. Trastevere is a winding series of cobblestone streets and alleys rife with old architecture that still retains a sense of hipness to locals and tourists alike.

And while the procession and surrounding street theatre is free of charge, if you can find any way to scrape up an extra euro or two, be sure to treat yourself to some of Rome’s most delectable home made cuisine that appears in the outskirts of the procession.