Florales – Corpus Domini Flower Festival

A carpet of flowers for Corpus Domini

Florales is the flower festival that, on the occasion of Corpus Domini, transforms Via Cicolana, the main street of Magliano de' Marsi, into a long carpet of petals and colors. In this small town in the Marsica region, in the province of L'Aquila, the event has combined ephemeral art and popular devotion for decades, attracting visitors from all over the Abruzzo region.

Large floral displays and carpets

The night before the feast, associations, youth groups, and citizens set to work creating large floral displays and carpets inspired by religious and geometric themes. The compositions are crafted using flower petals and colored sawdust, following a technique passed down from generation to generation. The artistic direction of the festival has been entrusted for years to Adelmo Di Felice, a key figure in the organization and stylistic evolution of the Magliano displays.

Ephemeral art and popular faith

The tradition is rooted in the ancient custom of scattering flower petals during processions or drawing sacred-inspired designs on the ground in honor of the Blessed Sacrament. Today, the flower festival has become a true community event: at dusk, after Holy Mass at the Church of Santa Lucia, the solemn Eucharistic procession travels through the town streets, walking over the freshly completed flower carpets.

A celebration for the whole community

Florales is much more than a religious event: it is a moment when the entire community of Magliano de' Marsi comes together for a collective effort that requires patience, creativity, and a sense of belonging. The event is organized by the Municipality of Magliano de' Marsi together with the Pro Loco and the Parish of Santa Lucia, with the participation of numerous associations from the Marsica territory.

When and where

The flower festival takes place every year on Corpus Domini, between late spring and early summer. The floral displays remain visible along Via Cicolana throughout the day and into the evening, offering residents and visitors the chance to admire a work of art destined to last only a few hours.