Infiorata

June is really beautiful in the town of Genzano di Roma. This small town is located on 29 kilometres away from Rome. On Sunday and Monday following Corpus Christi people of this town organize a special festival called Infiorata. In 2014 it is held on the 22nd and 23rd of June.

During this festival the whole Italo Belardi street is covered with flower carpets. Each carpet is designed by an artist. For example, in June of 2011 there were carpets dedicated to women, ecology, the late Pope John Paul II, Italian history etc. In 1990's several Italian fashion designers like for example Gianni Versace and Laura Biagiotti participated in the festival.

The tradition of making flower carpets along the route of Corpus Christi procession started in 1778. In 1834 famous Danish writer Hans Christian Andersen (1805-1875) visited the festival. He was so fascinated. He said

"The whole street is a carpet of flowers.... Not even a breathe of air moves and the flowers lie on the ground as if they were heavy precious stones...".

Only in 1814 and 2000 flower carpets were made in two streets – Sforza and Livia. Since 2006 every May there is a special "mini Infiorata" for school children.