Feast and Procession of the Madonna delle Grazie (with Flower Festival)

A centuries-old devotion

The Feast of the Madonna delle Grazie is one of the most defining events for the community of Capodimonte, a small village in Lazio overlooking Lake Bolsena, in the province of Viterbo. The Madonna delle Grazie is the patron saint and protector of the town: her image, a painting traditionally attributed to Sebastiano Conca or his school, depicts the Virgin with the Child in a gesture of profound tenderness and protection. Over the centuries, an intense and enduring devotion has developed around this image, accompanying entire generations of Capodimonte residents, even those who have emigrated far from the village.

Since the mid-18th century, the sacred image has been carried in procession through the streets of the town, a rite that has solidified over time to become one of the most significant events in the local religious calendar. This bond was further strengthened by the contribution of emigrants who, in 1914, donated a precious processional "float" to make the Madonna's passage through the village streets even more solemn.

Artistic flower festivals

The visual heart of the festival is the infiorata: starting in the afternoon, citizens create true carpets of petals, leaves, and floral compositions along the entire procession route. The streets of the center thus transform into a mosaic of colors and scents, an open-air workshop that involves families, associations, and volunteers of all ages. It is a patient and collective effort that gives the town a highly evocative atmosphere in anticipation of the sacred image's passage.

The procession in the historic center

In the evening, the solemn procession begins, departing from the parish church in Piazza della Rocca and winding for about two kilometers along the main streets of the historic center: Via dell'Orologio, Via Annibal Caro, Via Marconi, Via San Sebastiano, Via Marco Polo, Via Roma, La Piaja, Via Cesetti, Piazza Umberto I, and the Pontoncello, before returning to the church at the end of the route. The procession is accompanied by a marching band, the festive sound of bells, and fireworks that mark the main phases of the celebration. During the event, the historic center is reserved for pedestrians only.

A rite that unites the community

The festival is organized by the parish and the Madonna delle Grazie Festival Committee, with the participation of the Confraternity of the Most Holy Sacrament, the local band, civil protection, and local authorities. More than just a simple anniversary, the day represents a gathering point for the entire community of Capodimonte, capable of uniting faith, tradition, and popular participation. For visitors, it is also the ideal opportunity to discover the village and the shores of Lake Bolsena on one of the most authentic days of the year.