On June 29th, Rome celebrates its patron saints, Peter and Paul, with a local public holiday, fireworks at Piazza del Popolo, and, of course, liturgical celebrations scheduled in many of the city’s churches. Moreover, at St Peter’s, in Piazza Pio XII and along Via della Conciliazione, the ‘Historic I_nfiorata of Rome’_ (floral display) will be on show throughout the day attracting thousands of visitors.
It is an ancient celebration where faithful and visitors can admire, in front of St. Peter’s Basilica, a real open-air exhibition of multi-colored flower carpets featuring paintings made with tens of thousands of flower petals, dried flowers, colored salt, wood shavings, and others natural materials. The traditional event began to take place 1625 thanks to architect and florist Benedetto Drei but was abandoned for few centuries before being restored in 2011 to bring back its blaze of colors and the celebration of art. The infiorata masters, who come from different regions of Italy, start working on their paintings on the afternoon of the 28th and work through the night so that each masterpiece is in perfect conditions at the moment of the presentation the following morning. The public will be able to enjoy the beauty of the floral carpets throughout the day.
The event, sponsored by the Lazio Region and Roma Capitale I Municipio, involves every year thousands of people who prove the importance of combining this ancient tradition with the promotion of the Italian capital’s cultural heritage. It is a cultural initiative that emphasizes the beauty of traditions and highlights the uniqueness of the floral craftsmanship.
Ilona Catani Scarlett