Monaco's 2nd patron saint
Saint Roman's Day starts with a dawn serenade through the streets of the Rocher by members of the Saint Roman Society, accompanied by children dressed in traditional Monegasque costume. This is followed by a Monegasque language mass at the altar of Saint Roman in Monaco Cathedral.
Celebrations for the Fete de la Saint Roman (Festa d'a San Ruman in Monegasque) begin in July, with two evenings when members of the festival committee enjoy music, fish soup and pistou soup, and other traditional food and drink, in Saint Martin Gardens on the Rocher.
Saint Roman was a Roman soldier, beheaded for his Christian beliefs, in the reign of Valerien in 258 AD. The Monegasque festivities date from around 1543, when Cardinal Millo sent the saint's relics to the Terrazzani family, who owned the Saint Roman district to the east of the current day Principality. In 1868, a Comite des Fetes de la Saint Roman was created to continue the tradition of celebrating Monaco's 2nd patron saint.
For more information contact the Comite National des Traditions Monegasques on +377 93 50 57 28, or visit their website at: Saint Roman.
