Viterbo prepares for the annual Santa Rosa festival

Preparations and community events are intensifying in Viterbo ahead of the annual Trasporto della Macchina di Santa Rosa on September 3. The festivities, which celebrate the city's patron saint, include the traditional “Giro delle Sette Chiese” pilgrimage and large-scale community gatherings.

Local organizations are actively hosting events to build anticipation. The Sodalizio dei Facchini di Santa Rosa has held large communal dinners in Piazza San Lorenzo, drawing over a thousand participants. These events serve both as social gatherings and charitable initiatives, with the Rotaract Club Viterbo organizing activities to support social projects.

Journalist Valentina Bisti has been named the godmother for the 2026 transport, expressing her admiration for the tradition. However, the upcoming celebrations have also faced local political scrutiny, with the Fratelli d'Italia group criticizing the municipal administration for a perceived lack of official promotional materials and coordinated communication for the UNESCO-recognized event.