Festival of Our Lady of Flowers

A Vow That Has Lasted Since 1632

The Festival of Our Lady of Flowers is the heart of the identity of Castrocaro Terme and Terra del Sole, a spa town in the province of Forlì-Cesena, in Emilia-Romagna. Its origins date back to 1632, when the community, having escaped the plague, made a solemn vow to celebrate the feast of Our Lady every year on the first Sunday after Easter as a sign of thanksgiving. Since then, the promise has never been broken: the name 'of Flowers' probably derives from the spring period of the celebration, when the town and its hill are adorned with colors.

The Three Days of the Festival

The celebration unfolds over a spring weekend and blends two complementary souls. On one hand, the religious dimension, with masses in the Church of Saints Nicolò and Francesco—an ancient Franciscan church from the 13th century, which became a parish church in 1783—and especially the solemn procession with the statue of Our Lady of Flowers that winds through the town's streets, accompanied by the Civic Band. On the other hand, the popular and cultural dimension, made up of music, exhibitions, and family events.

The Children's 'Fiorita' and 'Castrocaro in Fiore'

Among the events most cherished by the community is the Children's 'Fiorita', where the youngest children lay flowers at the feet of Our Lady. In recent years, the festival has been enriched by 'Castrocaro in Fiore', a large flower exhibition-market held at the Padiglione delle Feste (Festival Pavilion), a refined Art Deco building inaugurated in 1938, designed by Diego Corsani with artistic consultation from Tito Chini. Here, stalls of florists, creative workshops, green-themed talks, a Flower Bar, and musical performances come to life, blending devotional tradition with green culture.

Concerts and Culture

The festival typically features an evening concert in the parish church, with high-level ensembles performing classical repertoire, free admission. The event also connects with the 'Tesori Aperti' (Open Treasures) project, which exceptionally opens fascinating local sites, normally not accessible to the public, and guided walks through the characteristic badlands of the Romagna hills.

Why It's Worth a Visit

The Festival of Our Lady of Flowers is the perfect opportunity to discover Castrocaro Terme beyond its spa dimension: a medieval village dominated by its fortress, nestled in the first hills of the Tuscan-Romagnolo Apennines, where spring, faith, and conviviality merge into a festival that the community has proudly preserved for almost four centuries.