Infiorata of Rocca di Papa
The colored sawdust carpets of Corpus Domini in the heart of the Castelli Romani
About Infiorata of Rocca di Papa
An Infiorata without flowers, unique in Lazio
The Infiorata of Rocca di Papa is one of the most defining events of the Castelli Romani. Unlike the famous flower festivals of Genzano or Spello, the paintings here are not made with petals but with colored sawdust: an ancient choice, linked to the town's artisan and woodland heritage, which gives the compositions a compact, mosaic-like finish and allows for work on very large surfaces. The result is an event that the Municipality of Rocca di Papa, in the Province of Rome and the Lazio region, has managed to keep alive as an authentic popular ritual rather than a manufactured tourist attraction.
Where it takes place
The stage is the garden path of Piazza della Repubblica, the town's living room overlooking the panorama of the Lazio volcano and the lake. The paintings line the entire path, interrupted only by the War Memorial, while other compositions are created in front of the churches in the historic center. Walking among the carpets at sunset, with the low light enhancing the pigments, is the experience visitors remember most.
Who creates it
The Infiorata is a collective effort. Dozens of local organizations participate in laying the carpets every year: the Pro Loco Città di Rocca di Papa, the Ente Pro Rocca, the Confraternity of the Most Holy Sacrament, the SMAC Group, sports associations such as ASD Canarini RDP 1926, ASD Atletica Rocca di Papa, ASD Podistica Rocca di Papa, and RDP Volley, as well as cultural and volunteer groups like Hakuna Matata, Feriae Latinae, L'Albero della Castagna, and La Cuccagna, alongside the Leonida Montanari Comprehensive Institute and the San Giuseppe Art High School. The involvement of schools is the true hallmark of the event: students draw, sift, and spread the sawdust side-by-side with adults.
The ritual of the "spallamento"
The most anticipated moment comes at the end. After the Mass and the Corpus Domini procession, children are set loose on the carpets to "spallare" them—that is, to undo them by running across them. It is a gesture that underscores the ephemeral nature of the work: days of labor consumed in a few minutes, amidst laughter and colored dust. For the community, it is a sign that art is not meant to be preserved, but shared.
Beyond carpets: the impromptu painting competition
The event coincides with the "Rocca di Papa City of Art" impromptu painting competition, which reached its ninth edition in 2026. For an entire day, painters set up in corners of the village—alleys, stairways, scenic viewpoints—and paint from life, with a final awards ceremony. Visitors find themselves walking through a town where every turn hides an easel.
What to expect
- Large paintings in colored sawdust, often with sacred or civil themes
- The collective ritual of the spallamento, beloved by families
- The impromptu painting competition in the historic center
- Food stalls and musical moments organized by local associations
- The panorama of the Castelli Romani just a few steps from the carpets
When to go
The Infiorata follows the liturgical calendar of Corpus Domini and therefore falls between late May and the second half of June, always on a Saturday and Sunday. We recommend arriving on Saturday afternoon to watch the paintings take shape and returning on Sunday evening for the spallamento: they are two completely different experiences.
Infiorata of Rocca di Papa — edition 2026
Infiorata 2026: 800 years of Saint Francis
The 2026 edition linked the theme of the carpets to the 800th anniversary of the death of Saint Francis of Assisi. Work began on Saturday, June 6, at 6:00 PM, when local associations started spreading the colored sawdust in the gardens of Piazza della Repubblica: a total of fourteen paintings along the path, interrupted only by the War Memorial, to which two compositions were added in front of the churches by the SMAC Group and the Confraternity of the Most Holy Sacrament.
Two dedicated paintings
Two works moved the town: one created by the Centro Urbano school for Eva, a nine-year-old girl who passed away after an illness, and one curated by the Pro Loco in memory of Danira Sciamplicotti, a cultural organizer of the city who passed away in October 2025.
City of Art, ninth edition
On Sunday, June 7, the ninth edition of the "Rocca di Papa City of Art" impromptu painting competition took place in parallel, with painters spread throughout the alleys and scenic spots of the historic center.
The spallamento
The event concluded on Sunday, June 7, at 7:30 PM with the spallamento ritual: children ran across the carpets, undoing them as tradition dictates.
Programme Infiorata of Rocca di Papa 2026
Saturday, June 6, 2026
- From 6:00 PM — Creation of the colored sawdust carpets in the gardens of Piazza della Repubblica, by local associations, schools, and volunteer groups
Sunday, June 7, 2026
- Throughout the day — 9th edition of the "Rocca di Papa City of Art" Impromptu Painting Competition in the streets and scenic spots of the historic center
- All day — Exhibition of the fourteen sawdust paintings along the garden path, plus compositions in front of the churches
- 7:30 PM — Ritual of the "spallamento" of the carpets by the children
Edition theme: eight hundred years since the death of Saint Francis. Organization: Municipal Administration of Rocca di Papa with Ente Pro Rocca, Pro Loco Città di Rocca di Papa, ASD Canarini RDP 1926, ASD Atletica Rocca di Papa, ASD Podistica Rocca di Papa, RDP Volley, Hakuna Matata, Feriae Latinae, Gruppo SMAC, L'Albero della Castagna, La Cuccagna, Confraternity of the Most Holy Sacrament, Leonida Montanari Comprehensive Institute, and San Giuseppe Art High School.
Highlights Infiorata of Rocca di Papa 2026
- Fourteen colored sawdust paintings along the garden path of Piazza della Repubblica
- Edition theme: 800th anniversary of the death of Saint Francis
- Two works dedicated to little Eva and Danira Sciamplicotti
- 9th edition of the "Rocca di Papa City of Art" impromptu painting competition
- Spallamento of the carpets by children, Sunday at 7:30 PM
Prices Infiorata of Rocca di Papa 2026
Practical information — Infiorata of Rocca di Papa
How to get there
By car from Rome: GRA exit 21 (Appia) or 22 (Tuscolana), then SS7 Appia or SP217 Via dei Laghi to Rocca di Papa (approx. 35 km, 45 minutes). By train: FL4 line Rome Termini – Frascati or Velletri, then Cotral bus to Rocca di Papa. Direct Cotral buses are also available from Rome Anagnina (Metro A).
Parking
During the event, the historic center is closed to traffic: we recommend leaving your car in the parking lots along the ring road and walking up.
Admission
The event takes place outdoors and is free of charge.
Tips
Wear comfortable shoes: the village is very steep. Rocca di Papa is located at an altitude of over 700 meters, so it can be cool in the evening even in June. Pair your visit with: Lake Nemi, Frascati, and the Castelli Romani Regional Park.
Information
Municipality of Rocca di Papa, Corso Costituente 26 – 00040 Rocca di Papa (RM), tel. +39 06 94286120.
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Where does it take place — Infiorata of Rocca di Papa
Piazza della Repubblica e centro storico
Piazza della Repubblica, 00040 Rocca di Papa