This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/europe/7658808.stm
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Italians 'turn water into wine' | Italians 'turn water into wine' |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Wine started flowing through taps in dozens of homes during an Italian grape festival in Marino, south of Rome. | Wine started flowing through taps in dozens of homes during an Italian grape festival in Marino, south of Rome. |
| At the heart of the town's famous Sagra dell' Uva, or Grape Festival, is the moment when sparkling white wine flows from the fountains in the main square. | |
| But this year locals and tourists had to make do with water, as bad plumbing meant the wine supply was switched by mistake to local homes. | But this year locals and tourists had to make do with water, as bad plumbing meant the wine supply was switched by mistake to local homes. |
| People come from as far away as France and Germany to watch the display. | People come from as far away as France and Germany to watch the display. |
| "Every year, during the Grape Festival, we interrupt the water supply to the main fountains in the town centre and we channel wine into them instead to re-evoke a famous victory," Mayor Adriano Palozzi said. | "Every year, during the Grape Festival, we interrupt the water supply to the main fountains in the town centre and we channel wine into them instead to re-evoke a famous victory," Mayor Adriano Palozzi said. |
| Accidental supply | Accidental supply |
| "But this year," Mr Palozzi said, "Due to a technical error, instead of connecting wine to the fountains, we accidentally channelled it into some local homes. | "But this year," Mr Palozzi said, "Due to a technical error, instead of connecting wine to the fountains, we accidentally channelled it into some local homes. |
| "Apparently the people living around the square who got the wine coming out of their taps were very surprised, they thought that it might be some kind of present from the local council! It only lasted three minutes, we corrected it straight away." | "Apparently the people living around the square who got the wine coming out of their taps were very surprised, they thought that it might be some kind of present from the local council! It only lasted three minutes, we corrected it straight away." |
| About 10 to 12 houses were affected, and the main bar on the town's square also had wine instead of water. | About 10 to 12 houses were affected, and the main bar on the town's square also had wine instead of water. |
| Commemorating the Battle of Lepanto, October 1571Each year, they hand out 150 tonnes of grapes and provide 3,000 litres of the local white wine during the four-day festival. | Commemorating the Battle of Lepanto, October 1571Each year, they hand out 150 tonnes of grapes and provide 3,000 litres of the local white wine during the four-day festival. |
| The grape festival, which is one of the oldest in Italy, commemorates the return of Admiral Marcantonio Colonna to his home in Marino after his victory over the Turks at the Battle of Lepanto in October 1571. | The grape festival, which is one of the oldest in Italy, commemorates the return of Admiral Marcantonio Colonna to his home in Marino after his victory over the Turks at the Battle of Lepanto in October 1571. |
| The town sent more than 250 sailors to the battle. The sagra is celebrated on the first Sunday of October to give thanks for their safe return. |