On August 5th, ever year, Rome celebrates a festival that goes back to the 4th century.

A re-enactment of a legendary 4th century snow fall with a blizzard of white flower petals which flutter down from the roof onto the congregation. There is also a special mass.

Legend has it that on the 4th of August in the year 352, the Virgin appeared in Pope Liberio's dream and instructed him to build a church where there would be fresh-fallen snow the following day. Lo and behold, the very next day, there was a rare August snow-fall! Below is a video.