Vita gazette – Rome celebrates the feast of San Giovanni. The night between 23 and 24 June, the ancient anniversary between sacred and profane, is celebrated. Why did they eat snails during the witches’ night in Rome?

The Feast of San Giovanni, which occurs on June 24th, is a celebration of sacred and profane, an event that marks the beginning of summer. The Basilica of San Giovanni, located in Rome, is the backdrop to one of the most important festivals in the capital: the so-called Witches’ Night. The grand festival is celebrated on the night of San Giovanni, i.e., between 23 and 24 June. Every year, it is a reason to celebrate one of the most resented events in the area.

In particular, the celebrations begin on what is better known as “witches’ night” between 23 and 24 June.

Legend has it that on this night, the witches gathered on the meadows of the Lateran, called by the ghosts of Herodias and her daughter Salome, damned for having caused the beheading of Saint John, and went around the city to capture the souls before continuing to Benevento (city of witches par excellence).

For this reason, the Romans had the beds and the door of their house blessed and then set off towards the square of San Giovanni in Laterano, with torches and candles lit. Here, bonfires were lit to chase away occult forces, people prayed, and some brought the “callaro” (a large pot) in which they cooked snails in sauce, a food representing the destruction of adversity and worries. At the first light of dawn, the dew on the fields was collected as it was said to have healing powers, and garlic was also bought as the proverb says, “Whoever doesn’t buy garlic in San Giovanni is poor all year round”. During the night the Tiber baths were opened, the Romans could cool off at the fountain of San Giovanni and believed that, on his feast day, the saint would perform miracles more than in the rest of the year.

It was a big party where people ate and drank, and tambourines, cowbells, trumpets, and firecrackers were played to chase away witches and occult forces. The feast of San Giovanni ended at sunrise, with the traditional firing of the Cannon of Castel Sant’Angelo. Thus, profane beliefs were left aside, and mass was celebrated in the Basilica of San Giovanni in Laterano.

The Feast of St. John today

It is no longer felt as if it were once in the city, yet some rites and traditions still exist in Ome. In the Gardens of via Sannio, the Night of the Witches is celebrated on 23  une. In the gardens adjacent to the square of San Giovanni in Laterano, there will be a rich cultural and spectacular workshop event aimed at all age groups to rediscover the long-lived Roman tradi ion. On the morning of June 23rd, there will also be a guided tour of the Basilica with the archaeologist Chiara Marchetti; in the afternoon, however, the appointment is with the Literary Lounge, moderated by Alessandra Laterza, with the Laboratories for Children, the laboratory for the creation of the Water of San Giovanni, the Astronomical Laboratory by Professor Lucia Corbo, the Madrepace Tarot Reading by Doctor Ilaria Dapino, the meeting with the historian Paolo Portone who will tell the modern myth of the flying witches.

At the same time, a historical-artistic-theatrical walk led by Piero Tucci will start from Piazza Vittorio with theatrical incursions organized by the La Ciambella association, which will end right in the gardens of Via S nnio. During the evening, aerial acrobatic gymnastics and stilt walkers will be performed in illuminated costumes. At 8 pm and around sunset, the Herbarie theatre show will be staged. The called them witches, the story of three women of medicine and knowledge of the Middle Ages at a time when the Inquisition tried to impose the end of traditional medicine. The show is curated by Argillateatri and directed by Ivan Vincenzo Cozzi. This will be followed by a musical show, Stories of Roman Women, created and performed by Lorenza Bohuny and Maurizio Carlini. From  0.30 pm, there will be Ponentino Trio with Daniele Mutino’s accordion, a series of Roman songs, poems, and vocals. Finally, the sh w “Kyra the goddess of fire” with the inflamed fantasies of Silvia Cozzi, who will celebrate the purifying fire, the fire of the transition to the summer season.

The water of San Giovanni

Tradition dictated that, on witches’ night, this particular water was prepared. It was believed to be healing, beneficial, and even miraculous. It was also sai to bring love and prosperity.

It starts on the evening of June 23rd: at sunset, flowers and wild herbs are collected and placed in a container or jug ​​with water. The container s ould be left outdoors all night so the flowers and herbs can absorb the morning dew. On the morning of June 24th, the water should be used to wash the face and body, and if there is any leftover water, it should be given as a gift to whoever you want. There is only o e condition: it must be used by St. John’s Day.