The “Pioggia di Rose” ceremony is a tradition following the Pentecost mass held at the Pantheon every Pentecost Sunday. The ceremony involves the raining of thousands and thousands of rose petals from the Pantheon’s oculus. Just as the Holy Spirited descended on the church in flames, the raining of petals parallels the first Pentecost experience.
The view of the oculus before the ceremony
Hundreds of people attend the mass
And then the petals were let loose. Sidenote: firefighters climb the Pantheon’s dome and shower down bagfuls of petals
The showering of petals – absolutely stunning
And then handfuls of petals are thrown about
The surface beneath the oculus is left entirely covered with petals
If ever you find yourself in the city on Pentecost Sunday, this is an experience not to be missed!
Hana Yoon
<p><span style="color: rgb(29, 29, 29); font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; background-color: rgb(237, 237, 237);">My name is Hana and I am a junior at the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana. I'm currently studying Architecture and minoring in Urban and Regional Planning (which has me even more excited to study abroad in Rome with its rich architectural history). As a lover of art, food, and adventure, I look forward to delving into the dynamic Italian culture and sharing my experiences!</span></p>
