Festival di San Lorenzo

San Lorenzo, once known as Lawrence of Rome, was one of the seven deacons of ancient Rome under Pope Sixtus II that were martyred during the persecution of Emperor Valerian in 258. He also happens to be the Patron Saint of Grosseto, the town I have called home for the past two months. Today, August 10, is Saint Day for Grosseto and last night I got to witness the procession through the city streets where they give praise to their beloved saint.

The parade started from the Duomo in the city center and did an hour circle around the city walls before returning. The procession began with cowboys on horseback (Maremma horses of course) and then continued with the city officials, the priests of the various parishes of the diocese, monks, nuns and other faithful followers. At the end there is the statue of San Lorenzo pulled in a charriot by two Maremmana (local bulls). It finished back at the Cathedral for the blessing by the Bishop and the relocation of the statue of San Lorenzo inside the church.

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Since it is my halfway point living here, I thought it would be nice to elaborate a little on the city's history and share why I love it here so much.

La città di Grosseto
Toscana, Italia
Population of 82,000
183.19 square miles
30 ft above sea level

"The city itself has origins dating back to the High Middle Ages. The province of Grosseto has many locations of archeological, monumental and artistic interest which make the artistic heritage of the Maremma among the most important in the country.
There are widespead traces left by the Etruscan civilization and also abundant Roman remains. The Aldobrandeschi family ruled for centuries in the Middle Ages and left behind soaring, graceful towers, castles, fortresses, bastions and villages harmonizing with the territory.
They were followed by the Medici and the Lorraine families who left works and fortifications of grandeur, almost with the intention of protecting the natural setting rather than conquering it" (tuscanypass.it)

This city is so cute and charming and the perfect size for me. It's a city with shops, restaurants, bars, churches, parks, and a castle. But, it's small enough that just after a few weeks I got to know all of the city streets well. Every other Thursday there is a market for blocks where you can go and find just about anything: clothes, shoes, jewlery, food, household good, you name it. During the days this city seems like a ghost town because almost all of the residents relocate to the local beaches, but at night it becomes pretty lively with music and dancing and great local food & wine.