La Festa de Noantri – traditional festival in Rome

Something you do not have to miss in July: "La Festa de Noantri"
The name of this event contains a meaning in itself: is the feast for Noantri - “the people like us”.. that means the people living in Trastevere.

Once a medieval neighbour where living was dangerous, where every night someone were killed by knife (for a woman love or for a fight), Trastevere is now one of the favourite place for tourists who decide to stay in Rome for a long period.
Prices of the houses are here unaffordable! But the place will enchant you.

During the day it seem to be a medieval place, a little town in the heart of the metropolis…in the night hundreds of trattorie, pizzeria and bars will make the streets bright in a romantic but frenetic way.
Anyway, romans who lives here, especially if they have roman origin are very proud about it and feel themselves as “more roman than the romans” ..but always in the typical funny and light way as they live the life.
That’s why this feast is for everyone….but especially is for the residents :)
In this period, Trastevere, become a huge outdoor restaurant, crowded and coloured, full of people walking, smiling , eating and drinking while merrymakers, musicians and streets performers give a particular atmosphere to this place.
Going there to have dinner or just for a walking tour, everyone can feel there something special in the air ……but this feast is not only what you can see in the night.
On july 22 there will be the core of the event with the procession of the Beata Vergine del Carmine.
The Festa de Noantri is, by the way, a beloved Christian happening. The main street that connect Trastevere to the city centre (largo Argentina – ponte Garibaldi) will be closed to traffic from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in order to allow the procession to cross the neighbour.
At six o'clock, the bells of San Crisogono ring out and the macchina leaves S. Agata church. The macchina is a wooden platform in the center stands a statue of the Virgin, in blue and gold. The route of the procession starts from via della Lungaretta and ends to San Crisogono church.
All symbols of traditional confraternite are shown in this procession.

You’ll see lots of people facing at the windows to watch the macchina passing by.
The sound of an handbell gives the order to stop for a rest and start again the march. The macchina arrives to the church of S. Crisogono and remains there for one week, then, a week later, another procession will take place to return the macchina back.

Do not miss it!