Infiorata di Pitigliano 2024 in Tuscany

Infiorata, literally meaning "flowering," is a beautiful 17th-century tradition of decorating cities with flowers on the Sunday closest to the Corpus Domini Holiday, which is on the 60th day after Easter. This tradition brings together communities to work on collective art. The residents of Pitigliano are known as real masters of this craft. They create masterpieces that are well worth seeing.

Tradition Highlights

A few days before Infiorata, the streets are cleaned and prepared to be turned into colorful carpets. A chalk outline marks the future mosaic borders. Along with flowers, other organic materials, such as wood, are used to create bright ornaments and replicas of classical Renaissance works. In the evening, a solemn procession passes through the city center right over the flowers and decorations, ruining these beautiful works of art until the next year.

Location and Participation

Each year, more and more visitors flock to Pitigliano, not just as spectators but as participants, joining the locals in creating stunning floral artworks. The main festivities take place in the Old Town. This year's activities will begin at 8 am.

Tradition History

The Infiorata traces its origins to the "baroque festivals" tradition of the 17th century in Rome, where intricate paintings were created using flowers, starting at the Vatican Basilica. Among its early proponents was the renowned Gian Lorenzo Bernini, who extended the tradition from San Pietro to the Roman castles. This practice continued into the 18th century, with the first Infiorata of Corpus Domini in Genzano in 1778. However, the festival's roots are much older, dating back to Belgium in 1246, as an honoring of the Sacrament of the Eucharist.