Each June, just outside Rome in the Castelli Romani, Genzano di Roma turns into an open-air artwork for the Infiorata di Genzano 2026. For three days, Via Italo Belardi becomes a vast floral tapestry created entirely from flower petals, seeds and leaves.
Smaller and more intimate than Rome’s big religious celebrations, this historic flower festival still feels rooted in local life. You’ll find Infiorata flower festivals across Italy in May and June, each celebrating a centuries-old tradition of petal carpets in their own unique way.
What is the Infiorata di Genzano?
The Infiorata di Genzano dates back to 1778 and is linked to the Catholic feast of Corpus Domini (Corpus Christi). Each year, master flower arrangers and volunteers create enormous floral panels along Via Italo Belardi, covering more than 2,000 square metres of street.
For 2026, the 248th edition carries the theme “Flowered in Peace: 80 Years of the Italian Republic”, echoing the Jubilee motto “Pilgrims of Hope”. Expect 15 large-scale floral artworks, plus an opening panel and a decorative floral staircase, all designed around peace, civic identity and tradition.
Infiorata di Genzano 2026: dates and full programme
The Infiorata di Genzano 2026 takes place from 13 to 15 June 2026, with preparations beginning on Friday 12 June.
Friday 12 June
Early morning spelluccamento sees volunteers pluck and prepare petals in the municipal courtyard.
- Sketches of the 2026 designs go on display at the Town Hall (Sala Belvedere), and by evening the master infioratori begin outlining the artworks on Via Italo Belardi.
- A concert follows in Piazza Tommaso Frasconi.
Saturday 13 June
Petal laying begins in the evening, when the designs start to take shape.
- Guided visits run at Palazzo Sforza Cesarini and its park, and the floral strip dedicated to the Cantico delle creature is created at Chiesa SS. Trinità.
- The day includes concerts and the 29th edition of the fashion show “Sotto il cielo di Genzano 2026” in Piazzale Sforza Cesarini.
Sunday 14 June
The official inauguration of the 248th Infiorata takes place at 11.00 in front of Palazzo Sforza Cesarini.
- There’s a market along Viale Vittorio Veneto, open visits to the municipal grottoes where petals are stored, and extended palace tours.
- In the evening, a solemn Mass and Corpus Domini procession crosses the floral carpets, followed by a band concert and fireworks in Piazza Tommaso Frasconi.
Monday 15 June
Exhibitions and palace visits continue during the day.
- At 18.00, a historical costume parade by the Folklandia association moves through the town, followed by a travelling band concert.
- The festival closes with the traditional Spallamento dell’Infiorata, when children run along the petal-covered street, symbolically breaking up the artworks in a gesture of renewal.
How the flower carpets are made
Preparation begins months ahead, once the annual theme is chosen. In the days before the festival, locals gather for spelluccamento, carefully separating petals by colour and texture. Designs are drawn directly onto the cobbles of Via Italo Belardi, then filled in by hand, section by section.
By Sunday morning, the street looks like a sequence of enormous painted canvases, only everything is organic and intensely fragrant. It’s detailed, painstaking work, and much of it is done by families who have taken part for generations.
What to see and eat in Genzano during the Infiorata
Even beyond the floral carpets, Genzano di Roma is worth lingering in.
- Pane di Genzano IGP: This dark-crusted sourdough has protected status and a proper tangy flavour. Local bakeries sell it by weight, still warm in the morning.
- Porchetta sandwiches: Herb-stuffed roast pork sliced thick and served in crusty bread. You’ll find it in small norcinerie and festival stalls.
- Palazzo Sforza Cesarini: A 16th-century palace with gardens and lake views, open for guided tours during the festival.
- Lake Nemi views: Just beyond the historic centre, viewpoints overlook the volcanic lake below.
- Historic centre: Cobbled lanes, painted façades and churches such as Santa Maria della Cima give you a sense of small-town Lazio life.
Tips for visiting the Infiorata
- Timing is everything: Try to arrive early on Sunday morning before the crowds, when the carpets are at their freshest.
- Footwear matters: Narrow, cobbled streets mean comfortable shoes are a must, especially if you plan to wander around the historic centre or climb to a vantage point.
- Respect the festival: Locals take real pride in their work—admire from the edges and avoid stepping onto the carpets until the official ceremony begins.
- Bring a camera—but also soak it up: The sights are dazzling, but the atmosphere—kids racing about, neighbours greeting each other, music drifting through open windows—is what you’ll remember.
- Taste local specialities: Don’t miss the porchetta stands or local wine. For sweet treats, look for ciambelle (ring-shaped biscuits) sold by local bakers.
- Combine with a visit to the lakes: Lake Nemi and Lake Albano are both within easy reach and make a relaxed spot to escape the crowd for a few hours.
Practical tips for visiting
Arriving early on Sunday means seeing the carpets at their sharpest, before the main crowds build. Comfortable shoes make a difference, as the centre is hilly and cobbled.
It’s busy during Infiorata weekend, so public transport from Rome is often easier than driving. Buses run from Anagnina metro station and take roughly an hour, though services can be crowded during peak festival hours.
If you’re living in Rome or thinking about settling there, this is one of those local traditions that reminds you how layered Italian culture can be just beyond the city limits.
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