Festival!

The Festa de Noantri started last night. It is one of the most famous and popular festivals in the Trastevere neighborhood of Rome. It's a religious procession combined with a party commemorating the statue of the Madonna Fiumarola.  The statue passes through the streets and creates a festive atmosphere.  The festival is associated with a storm from some inknown year in the past when a cedar statue of the Virgin was caught in the nets of local fishermen from Rome. The statue was donated to the church of Sant'Agata where it became an object of veneration. As a sign of respect and tribute to the Virgin, the locals of the Trastevere district undertake this festival eah year. The statue of the Madonna is taken from S. Agata, carried by about ten men and led by the local bishop dressed in his finery. It is paraded through the packed and narrow streets to the church of San Crisogno, where it remains on display for eight days. Food and wine flow from street vendors throughout the area, along with street theater, dances and music.  The festival began last night and continues through Sunday.  Look fo us!