La Madonna della Neve, Our Lady of Snows, is celebrated by Catholics throughout Italy on August 5th, but is particularly honored in Rome. The city observes the day at the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore, located on the Esquiline Hill. So, why does the Eternal City celebrate snow during the scorching month of August? Well, it all dates back to a freak summer snowstorm in the 4th century AD.
What does snow have to do with the Madonna?
Legend has it that in 352 AD, on the night between August 4th and 5th, a dusting of snow fell from the skies and covered Esquiline Hill. That same night, a wealthy Roman couple who were seeking to donate their possessions to the church were greeted by an apparition of the Madonna in their dreams. She is said to have guided the couple on where to build a church of their own.
Upon waking on the morning of August 5, the couple chose a snow-covered spot on the Esquiline Hill and built what is today the Papal Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, the largest Catholic church in the city, and one of Rome’s Seven Pilgrim Churches. It’s also the resting place of Popes Clement IX, Pious V, Nicholas IV, Saint Jermone, and the Baroque artist Gian Lorenzo Bernini.
How does Rome celebrate La Madonna della Neve?
Now, every August 5th since 1983, the city of Rome metaphorically recreates that divine snowstorm by using confetti, flower petals, and foam. A mass is held at the basilica at 10 a.m. to honor the Madonna della Neve in which hundreds of white flower petals are scattered from above to echo that historical snowfall. This is repeated at 5 p.m. during Vespers, the evening prayer.
Then, at 9 p.m. in the Piazza Santa Maria Maggiore, spectators are showered with white foam and suds, to once again recall the divine snowfall, and treated to a stunning light show. The spectacle is backdropped by a performance by the Banda dell'Arma dei Carabinieri di Roma, a world-renowned military police band that has been performing at the country’s royal and ceremonial fanfares since 1820. This year marks the 40th edition of the spectacle, which is organized with the support of the city, the Vatican, and the Culture Ministry.
Asia London Palomba
Asia London Palomba is a trilingual freelance journalist from Rome, Italy. In the past, her work on culture, travel, and history has been published in The Boston Globe, Atlas Obscura, The Christian Science Monitor, and Grub Street, New York Magazine's food section. In her free time, Asia enjoys traveling home to Italy to spend time with family and friends, drinking Hugo Spritzes, and making her nonna's homemade cavatelli.