Genzano di Roma

Infiorata

It is in this town, since two centuries, every sunday following the corpus domini day, that the Infiorata feast takes place with proud of the inhabitants who utilize flowers from the local luxuriant cultivations for decorating with flowers the streets. The climb to the cathedral is completely covered with flower panels perfectly reproducing, in a surprising artistical way, the masterpieces of famous painters. The Infiorata feast is a very important event by which Genzano shows its generous hospitality and invite to enjoy the fruits of its earth particularly celebrated for the excellent wines and its enchanting and picturesque environs. The Infiorata feast was in origin a sign of faith but since 1778 it became a suggestive artistic event known worldwide thank to Arcangelo and Nicola Leofreddi. The Infiorata feast is a burst of flowers and colours that in few hours creates forms and gives rise to deep excitement. In august 1875 Garibaldi strongly refused to tread on flowers because: “certain divine things must not be trod on”. Known painters and writers have quoted the Infiorata feast.. “I saw the feast, people, the rare beauties of this country, the crowd of Romans, the tourists from the near castles … All was very lively, and from the foot of the climb a magnificent carpet appears and one is so sorry to see it ruined by the passage of procession” (D’Azeglio). ….”Do not believe that flowers are simply thrown away on the street. Not at all. You should not say they are flowers, they appear like variegated and historiated carpets laying on the floor. All drawings are realized by using different petals: vessels, several drawings, coat of arms, Pope portrait….”(Gogol). “All the street is covered with flowers…No movement of air occurs and flowers stay on the floor like precious stones” (C.H. Andersen). “In Genzano one of the most beautiful feast in Italy, the feast of flowers, is celebrated; the town looks like a big flower-bed. Spectacular show”(R. Voss). “Due to its fame it may be considered an european feast and many admirers are attracted by the skill of the inhabitants in decorating street floor with works of flowers of any colour as natural carpets and extemporary tapestry” (G. Moroni). www.infiorata.it

La Festa del Pane Casareccio (typical local bread festival) – a celebration dedicated to the high quality bread registered P.G.I. (Protected Geographical Indication) takes place in September. The streets are lined with wine and food stands and other stalls; guided tours and slow food tasting are organized at Lake Nemi; in the afternoon, you cannot miss the big bruschettata (free bruschetta for everyone).

La Festa del Vino Novello (New Wine Festival) – it is held in November and organized by the town council to promote winemakers of the local young wine. Apart from the wine and food tasting, the festival also offers concerts and guided tours around the historical centre and the Sforza-Cesarini Palace.

Mercatus Cynthianus (antique market) – on the last Sunday of each month there is a busy market full of antiques and curiosities. In Piazza Dante Alighieri and Via Veneto you can find many stalls offering antiques, handcrafts, coins and stamps, paintings, swapping, curiosities and books.