Gerano Flower Festival
Italy's oldest flower festival, in honor of the Madonna del Cuore
About Gerano Flower Festival
A carpet of petals in the Prenestini Mountains
Fifty kilometers from Rome, perched on the Prenestini Mountains in the Aniene Valley, the town of Gerano has just over a thousand inhabitants. Yet, for one weekend in April, this small village in the Metropolitan City of Rome Capital becomes the Italian capital of ephemeral art: the Gerano Flower Festival is recognized as the oldest event of its kind in Italy, with an unbroken history dating back to 1729.
The legend of the Madonna del Cuore
It all began with an 18th-century painting depicting the Madonna del Cuore, attributed to the school of Sebastiano Conca. Brought to Gerano by two Jesuits in 1729, it is kept in the church of Santa Maria Assunta. Popular tradition says that every attempt to move the image elsewhere was interrupted by sudden rain: the people of Gerano saw this as a sign that the Madonna wished to stay with them. Since that year, the village has thanked her by laying a carpet of flowers at her feet.
How the festival is created
What makes Gerano unique is its technique: the floral paintings are created exclusively with petals and leaves, without the use of colored earth, sawdust, or other fillers. The compositions are designed and prepared in the cellars of the historic center, then laid by hand between Saturday and Sunday night by master floral artists, youths, and volunteers working until dawn.
- Collection and selection of petals in the days leading up to the event
- Defoliation and sorting by color in the village cellars
- Nighttime laying of the paintings along the streets of the historic center
- Blessing, procession, and finally the Sciarrata
Key moments
Friday opens with a presentation on the history of the festival and the Calata, the lowering of the Madonna's image from the church wall. On Sunday morning, a solemn mass is celebrated; at noon, the 18th-century painting, carried on the shoulders of the Confraternity, is processed over the flower carpet. In the afternoon, the awards ceremony takes place, followed by the Sciarrata: children run across the petals, dismantling the artwork—a gesture that recalls the ephemeral nature of beauty. Fireworks conclude the celebration.
Ever-changing themes
The paintings are never merely decorative: every edition features spiritual and topical themes. In 2026, designs ranged from the 800th anniversary of the passing of Saint Francis of Assisi to a tribute to Pope Leo, the bicentenary of the birth of Carlo Collodi, the parable of the Good Samaritan, and even artificial intelligence in the service of humanity.
Beyond the flowers
During the event, the village opens the Flower Festival Museum, which preserves documents and traditional tools, as well as the Tin Museum, historic workshops, and cellars. Guided tours, exhibitions in municipal spaces and churches, and food stands featuring Aniene Valley products are organized. The festival's candidacy for UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage status has further strengthened national attention on this tradition.
A village to discover
Visitors to Gerano can easily extend their trip: the Simbruini Mountains Regional Nature Park, the Benedictine monasteries of Subiaco, and the UNESCO villas of Tivoli are all within a few kilometers, making the festival the ideal occasion for a weekend in the Lazio hinterland.
Gerano Flower Festival — edition 2026
297th edition: faith, art, and current events
The 2026 edition of the Gerano Flower Festival confirmed the formula that has renewed the village of the Prenestini Mountains for nearly three centuries. Four days of events, starting Friday, April 24, at 6:00 PM with the 'Calata' of the Madonna del Cuore image, preceded the long night of work by the master floral artists.
During the night between Saturday, April 25, and Sunday, April 26, volunteers and artists laid the paintings by hand along the streets of the historic center, using exclusively petals and leaves. On Sunday morning, the solemn mass was held, followed at noon by the procession with the 18th-century painting, carried by the Confraternity over the flower carpet. In the afternoon, the awards ceremony, children's activities, and the traditional Sciarrata took place, followed by fireworks.
Around the festival, the village opened the Flower Festival Museum, the Tin Museum, historic workshops, and cellars, with guided tours and food stands. A free shuttle connected the Sant'Anatolia market area to the village, which was closed to traffic.
Programme Gerano Flower Festival 2026
Friday, April 24
- 6:00 PM — Opening of the event, presentation of the history of the festival
- 'Calata' of the Madonna del Cuore image from the wall of the Santa Maria Assunta church
Saturday, April 25
- Preparation of petals in the cellars of the historic center
- Evening: start of the floral painting setup
- Night between Saturday and Sunday: laying of the flower carpets until dawn
- Exhibitions, Flower Festival Museum, and Tin Museum open, guided tours
Sunday, April 26
- Morning — Opening of the floral paintings to the public in the historic center
- Solemn mass in the church of Santa Maria Assunta
- Approx. 12:00 PM — Procession of the Madonna del Cuore over the flower carpet
- Afternoon — Awards ceremony, children's activities
- Sciarrata: children run on the petals, dismantling the festival
- Closing fireworks display
Monday, April 27
- Conclusion of the festivities in honor of the Madonna del Cuore
2026 Painting Themes
- 800th anniversary of the passing of Saint Francis of Assisi
- Tribute to Pope Leo
- Bicentenary of the birth of Carlo Collodi
- The parable of the Good Samaritan
- Artificial intelligence in the service of humanity
Highlights Gerano Flower Festival 2026
- 297th edition of Italy's oldest flower festival, candidate for UNESCO Intangible Heritage
- Paintings made only with petals and leaves, no colored earth
- Nighttime laying of floral carpets between Saturday the 25th and Sunday the 26th
- Procession of the Madonna del Cuore over the flower carpet, Sunday at noon
- The Sciarrata: children dismantle the work by running on the petals
- Closing fireworks
- Flower Festival Museum, Tin Museum, workshops, and cellars open
- Free shuttle from the Sant'Anatolia market area
Prices Gerano Flower Festival 2026
Practical information — Gerano Flower Festival
How to get there
Gerano is located about 50 km from Rome. By car: A24 Rome-L'Aquila, exit Vicovaro-Mandela, then follow the SP road towards Ciciliano and Gerano; or via Tivoli and the Via Empolitana. By train: Rome-Avezzano line to Mandela-Sambuci, then Cotral bus. During the event, a free shuttle runs from the Sant'Anatolia market area to the historic center, which is closed to traffic.
Admission
Free access to the entire event and the floral displays. Guided tours and food stands are managed by local associations.
Tips
The historic center is hilly and cobbled: comfortable shoes are essential. To see the paintings intact, it is best to arrive early on Sunday morning, before the noon procession and the afternoon Sciarrata. Park in the market area and use the shuttle.
Contacts
Gruppo Infioratori Gerano, Piazza degli Eroi 2, 00025 Gerano (RM) — [email protected]
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Where does it take place — Gerano Flower Festival
Centro storico di Gerano
Piazza degli Eroi 2, 00025 Gerano