Italian Festivals – Towering Machines Carried on Human Shoulders

When most people imagine Italian festivals, they think of Venice’s Carnival, Siena’s Palio, or Perugia’s chocolate fair. But hidden among Italy’s local traditions is a breathtaking series of celebrations where communities literally lift faith and art to the sky. Across the country, colossal structures—some taller than buildings—are hoisted on the shoulders of devoted men and paraded through crowded streets.

These festivals are not spectacles for tourists but living traditions rooted in centuries of faith, artistry, and resilience. Recognized by UNESCO as part of the “Celebrations of Big Shoulder-Borne Processional Structures,” they include the Macchina di Santa Rosa in Viterbo, the Gigli di Nola in Campania, the Varia di Palmi in Calabria, and the Candelieri di Sassari in Sardinia.

The Macchina di Santa Rosa – Viterbo

Every September 3rd, the medieval city of Viterbo is illuminated by the towering Macchina di Santa Rosa. Standing about 30 meters tall and weighing close to 5 tons, this luminous tower honors Saint Rosa, the city’s patron.

One hundred “facchini” (porters) carry the machine on their shoulders, moving in perfect synchronization through the narrow streets of the old town. Crowds line balconies and squares, gasping as the structure sways close to walls and rooftops. The moment it reaches Piazza San Sisto, the crowd erupts in applause, celebrating both devotion and sheer human strength.

The design of the Macchina changes every few years, blending tradition with innovation. To plan a visit, check the local tourism site: https://www.visitviterbo.it

The Gigli di Nola – Campania

In June, near Naples, the town of Nola explodes with music and color for the Gigli di Nola. Gigli means “lilies,” but here the word refers to wooden obelisks up to 25 meters tall, ornately decorated with images, fabrics, and carvings.

These giants are lifted by teams of men called paranze. To the rhythm of live bands, the structures sway, spin, and “dance” through the crowded streets. Watching a Giglio twist around a corner, balanced on the shoulders of dozens of carriers, is an awe-inspiring moment of agility and faith.

The Gigli festival honors Saint Paolino, a bishop who once gave himself up as a prisoner to save his townspeople. Today it’s both a religious procession and a community party filled with food, music, and pride. More info here: https://www.nolacitytour.it

The Varia di Palmi – Calabria

In Calabria, the coastal town of Palmi hosts the Varia, a festival unlike any other. The Varia is not just a structure—it’s a living stage. Built on a massive base, it supports platforms where live actors represent the Virgin Mary ascending to heaven, surrounded by angels and cherubs.

The entire machine weighs around 20 tons and is carried by hundreds of men called mbuttaturi. The sight of live children lifted high above the crowd, swaying as the Varia moves through Palmi, is unforgettable. The event takes place only every few years, making it even more special and eagerly awaited.

For details, see: https://www.comune.palmi.rc.it

The Candelieri of Sassari – Sardinia

On August 14th, the streets of Sassari in Sardinia fill with music, costumes, and towering wooden candlesticks carried by guilds. The Candelieri di Sassari weigh hundreds of kilos and are richly decorated with symbols of the city’s ancient trades: farmers, blacksmiths, and carpenters.

The procession, known as the “Faradda dei Candelieri,” dates back to the 16th century, when the townspeople vowed to honor the Virgin Mary if she spared them from plague. Today, each candlestick is carried and spun through the streets in a ritual that blends devotion with community pride.

To explore further: https://www.visitsassari.it

Not Everyone Knows

• Few travelers realize that these four traditions—Viterbo, Nola, Palmi, Sassari—are united under a single UNESCO heritage recognition. Each town preserves its individuality, but together they represent Italy’s collective cultural identity.

• In Viterbo, becoming a facchino is a lifelong dream. Only men born in the city can apply, and training involves months of physical preparation.

• The Gigli of Nola are dismantled and rebuilt each year, with carpenters competing to design the most beautiful spire.

• The Varia of Palmi is so rare (every few years) that entire families plan reunions around it, ensuring they never miss the once-in-a-lifetime spectacle.

• In Sassari, carrying a candlestick is considered a vow of devotion, sometimes passed from father to son for generations.

Why These Italian Festivals Matter

These events are not about spectacle alone—they are living demonstrations of faith, unity, and artistry. They reveal how communities in Italy transform devotion into collective strength, carrying structures that defy both physics and imagination.

For visitors, witnessing one of these towering traditions is a privilege. You don’t just see a show—you feel the ground shake beneath the carriers’ steps, hear the cheers of the crowd, and watch centuries of heritage move past your eyes.

Final Thoughts

From the glowing tower of Viterbo to the dancing lilies of Nola, the living theater of Palmi, and the swaying candlesticks of Sassari, these Italian festivals prove that tradition can be both fragile and monumental. They are moments where art, faith, and human endurance come together in extraordinary form.

So if you’re planning a journey through Italy, consider timing it with one of these incredible events. Stand among the crowd, look up as the machines sway above, and let yourself be carried away by a tradition that truly reaches the heavens.