Spring Blooms

An open-air laboratory in Garfagnana

Spring Blooms is the event that transforms the heart of Garfagnana into a vast open-air laboratory every mid-May. Promoted by the Municipality of San Romano in Garfagnana (Province of Lucca, Tuscany) and co-funded by the Tuscany Region, the event is centered around the recently regenerated spaces of the Villetta-San Romano station, located along the historic Lucca-Aulla railway. We encourage visitors to reach the event by train for a slow, sustainable travel experience through the villages of the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines.

Flowers, fantasy, and wild flavors

The program weaves together three themes: nature awakening in spring, geek and fantasy culture, and the authentic flavors of wild herbs. These two days are designed for families, outdoor enthusiasts, and fantasy lovers, with activities spread across the station, local trails, and the surrounding villages.

Hikes, nature, and biodiversity

The core of the initiative lies in its hikes and nature workshops. Highlights include a guided walk to discover wildflowers and wild herbs, a historical and landscape-focused hike exploring the valley's ancient economy, and an e-bike tour to the Rifugio Miramonti followed by a spring-themed lunch. Biodiversity is also in the spotlight, with lectures by entomologists from the LIFE BEEadapt project on climate impact, alongside workshops for children such as "A Day as a Bee" and "Agrobiodiversity at Play."

Geocaching and the fantasy world

One of the most original experiences is the large digital geocaching treasure hunt, which guides teams to discover 15 symbolic and hidden locations in the municipality through riddles, coordinates, and clues, with delicious local food prizes for the winners. The fantasy side, curated in collaboration with the Studium 1984 association, features the "Tolkien: From History to Fantasy" workshop, the "Cosplay Blooms" masterclass covering makeup, costumes, and photography, and a photo exhibition blending fantasy aesthetics with floral elements.

Flavors of the valley

The gastronomic dimension is not to be missed: local restaurants offer special menus based on seasonal wild herbs (nettles, dandelion, wild hops), while local producers and stands showcase the excellence of Garfagnana throughout the weekend. Spring Blooms is the first in a series of thematic events that the Municipality hosts between spring and autumn to share the natural and cultural values of this corner of Tuscany.