Infiorata at the Sanctuary

The Infiorata at the Sanctuary of Ozegna

The Infiorata at the Sanctuary is the event that brings the Madonna del Bosco Sanctuary in Ozegna—a small town in the Canavese area within the Metropolitan City of Turin, Piedmont—to life in mid-June. For an entire weekend, from Friday to Sunday, the grounds around the sanctuary are transformed by hand-laid carpets of petals and flowers: an ephemeral art form, born of patience and color, that lasts only for the duration of the festival but leaves a lasting impression on all who visit.

An ancient sanctuary, a living devotion

The Madonna del Bosco Sanctuary was built between 1623 and 1625 and solemnly consecrated in 1662. Its origins are tied to a story passed down in Ozegna for centuries: in June 1623, a young deaf-mute boy from the village, Giovanni Guglielmo Petro, is said to have regained his speech after a Marian vision near the Orco stream. The community decided to erect a place of worship, funding its construction and entrusting it to the Reformed Minor Friars. Even today, the sanctuary, with its single nave and wooden Baroque altars, remains a spiritual landmark for the region.

The art of the Infiorata

The Infiorata is a popular tradition found in many Italian towns: it consists of creating intricate pictures and carpets using exclusively natural elements such as petals, leaves, seeds, and flowers. In Ozegna, this technique meets the setting of the sanctuary, creating a dialogue between the spontaneous art of the local people and the sacred nature of the site. During the event, visitors can admire the compositions, participate in moments of prayer, and experience the intimate, convivial atmosphere typical of Piedmontese village festivals.

Three days of celebration

The event spans three days, from Friday to Sunday, and is promoted by the Municipality of Ozegna. Beyond visiting the floral carpets, the event is part of the tradition of celebrations and community gatherings that have always accompanied the sanctuary, the heart of the village's devotional life. It is an opportunity to discover an authentic corner of the Canavese, far from the major tourist circuits and rich in history, faith, and popular traditions.

Why attend

• Admire the floral carpets created around a 17th-century sanctuary
• Discover the history and legend of the Madonna del Bosco of Ozegna
• Experience the authentic atmosphere of a Canavese festival in Piedmont
• Combine a walk to the sanctuary with exploring the local area