The legend has it that when the obelisk was erected in Piazza San Pietro, on September, 10th 1586, the ropes supporting the structure almost snapped but thanks to a Captain from Sanremo village the accident was avoided. When he realised what would have happened, he shouted: "water on the ropes!", knowing that reaction of the material when it comes into contact with water. For this action, he received a prize from Pope Sisto V and a privilege for him and his descendants: to supply to Vatican the palm trees necessary during Palm Sunday. A tradition that continued during the centuries and is maintained even today.