The Procession of Our Lady of Mount Carmel takes place in Clerkenwell on July 12th in 2009 and has its roots in the Victorian era. Today, it's a great chance to soak up some Italian atmosphere - and enjoy delicious Italian food. The procession, one of few held outside Italy, dates back to the 1880s and was started by devout Italian immigrants. When it originally took place it was the first outdoor Roman Catholic event that had been allowed in London since the time of Henry V111 and the Reformation. Apparently Queen Victoria gave special permission for it to be held.
Little Italy in London
The Procession of Our Lady of Mount Carmel takes place each year in Clerkenwell, an historic area that’s popularly known as London’s Little Italy. Clerkenwell long had a reputation for radicalism and as a refuge for proscribed religious groups.
In later years the area also established a reputation as a home for traders and artisans – particularly for skilled watch-makers and clock-makers. By the 1850s, around 2000 Italian had settled there – some working in the horological trades, others making plaster models of saints or making a living as street musicians – most famously as organ-grinders.
St Peter's Italian Church
This lively Italian community needed its own church and in the mid 19th-century work started on a grand building that was modelled on the Basilica of San Crisogono in Trastevere, Rome. It was consecrated in 1863 and is generally known as St Peter’s Italian Church. It soon established a reputation for fine music.
The Procession of Our Lady of Mount Carmel became an important annual event, and eventually became something of a street festival – with decorated floats and people in colourful costumes. It still draws members of London’s Italian community, as well as many visitors. It’s a great chance to taste Italian food, as there are stalls selling all sorts of traditional treats.
The Coach and Horses Pub
The local pub, The Coach & Horses on Ray Street, has strong Italian ties and generally enters into the spirit of things. Last year it hosted a special Italian inspired Sunday lunch on the day of the festival which included a simple insalata caprese or pasta al pesto, or more substantial dishes such as polenta with field mushrooms & gorgonzola, or confit of lamb shoulder with aubergine caponata. The Coach and Horses wine list includes a few Italian wines, which come from Sicily and Sardinia as well as Tuscany. While the usual pub menu is modern British, you might find dishes such as gnocchi with Jerusalem artichokes.
Read more about Italian Food Festivals.
