Genzano di Roma, renowned for its Infiorata and home-made Bread IGP, is one of the seventeenth villages immersed in the “Parco dei Castelli Romani” overlooking Lake Nemi’s crater.
The Infiorata of Genzano, celebrated since 1778, takes place in June, on the second Sunday after Pentecost, in honour of the Corpus Domini. One of the oldest and most spectacular events of its kind, the flower carpets have been recognized by the Ministry of Tourism as “Heritage of Italy“.
Genzano – Floral Carpet – Facebook @Chalk Festival
In November 2024, the master flower-decorators from Gerano and Genzano di Roma participated at the “Sarasota Int’l Chalk Festival” in Florida, USA, the first international pavement-art festival, which welcomes artists from all over the world.
The Genzano Flower Festival – Facebook @infioratadigenzanodiroma
Along the ancient Via Livia, a 2,000 metres floral carpet, divided into fifteen sections is laid. At least 350,000 flowers are employed in the composition of the mosaics, depicting new themes every year, enhanced by yellow brooms, blue torenias, and red carnations.
The laying of petals at the Infiorata in Genzano di Roma
The laying of petals and the creation of floral paintings take place between Saturday evening and Sunday morning. On Sunday afternoon, a solemn procession, accompanied by musical bands, parades along Via Infiorata and is repeated on Monday, till the grand finale, the spallamento, with the children undoing the floral mosaics by running from the steps of the Church of Santa Maria degli Angeli.
Palazzo and Parco Sforza Cesarini – www.retedimorestorichelazio.it
The complex of “Palazzo Ducale and Parco Sforza Cesarini” is listed among the Lazio Historic Homes. The eighteenth-century Palazzo, which belonged to the Barons of Genzano di Roma, preserves a nineteenth-century rare example of an English garden, sloping down into the shores of Lake Nemi. The Park is dedicated to Duchess Carolina Shirley, wife of Lorenzo Sforza Cesarini.
Exhibitions in Palazzo Sforza Cesarini – www.retedimorestorichelazio.it
The Palace hosts, on the main floor, about a hundred seventeenth-and-eighteenth century works from the collection of Hellmut Hager, one of the greatest scholars of the Baroque architects Carlo Fontana, Gian Lorenzo Bernini and Filippo Juvarra. The mezzanine floor hosts the permanent exhibition “Symposium, a tavola tra mito e cultura”, which displays artefacts related to the wine culture, as well as stolen ancient works recovered by the Guardia di Finanza.
Palazzo and Parco Cesarini Sforza – www.retedimorestorichelazio.it
A part of Palazzo Cesarini Sforza preserves archaeological finds from the first century AD Villa degli Antonini, the birthplace of the two Roman emperors Antoninus Pius and Commodus. Guided tours of the Palace and the Park are only available on Saturdays and Sundays upon reservation.
The Church of the Holy Trinity dedicated to San Tommaso da Villanova – www.comune.genzanodiroma.roma.it
Not to be missed in Genzano di Roma is the Church of the Holy Trinity, dedicated to the Patron San Tommaso da Villanova. Designed by Pietro Camporese and completed in the late 1700’s, it boasts extraordinary, frescoed altars and chapels. The central entrance door bears a bronze bas-relief depicting the mystery of the Holy Trinity and the episodes of San Tommaso’s life.
Genzano di Roma RM – IGP home-made bread
A typical product of Genzano is the IGP home-made bread from soft wheat flour and natural yeast, with its crunchy, dark crust in delicious contrast with the spongy crumb.
On September 18, the Patron Saint, Tommaso da Villanova, is celebrated with the traditional Festival of the IGP home-made bread, which includes workshops, markets and shows. The highlights of the event are the “longest Bruschetta in the World” and the “Corsa del Pane Genzanese”.