Painted with petals

Among the more visually stunning events you could hope to experience is the Italian "manefestazione" know as an "infiorata." Literally an "enflowering," the events are held in towns throughout Italy nine weeks after Easter to commemorate Corpus Domini and occur when townspeople create floral carpets-some modest, some dazzlingly splendid-in front of their church. One of the most notable occurs in the Umbrian town of Spello, where there are said to be three kilometers of floral tapestries, and 80,000 people reportedly attended last year. (Given the width of the streets in a typical Italian hill town, it is not an event for those who need their space.) Although the preparation begins long before, the real work begins at midnight, when teams (rather like a krewe for Mardi Gras) trace their designs onto the street, lay in the outlines in dirt, and then fill them in with every manner of flower and petal (and, in some cases, whole fruit). When I arrived in Spello shortly after 8 a.m., finishing touches were still under way, which sometimes involved tweezers and sometimes required a gymnast's sense of balance. As the designs are completed, other team members constantly mist them from water tanks on their backs to "glue" the designs in place. Then, toward midday, there is a grand processional from the church, on those much-labored-over carpets. Truth be told, the parade tends to ...»

20 Comments

Barb A Melbourne, FL

Wow! That is absolutely gorgeous! What talent and creativity!

on Jun 10, 2012 · Like 0
Dee W Rock Creek, OH

I am stunned! Never heard of this before-thank-you for sharing and your pics are beautiful.

on Jun 10, 2012 · Like 0
Jan C Duluth, GA

Douglas those pics are beautiful. I too had never heard of this and want to thank you for sharing. The detail is amazing and very colorful and pretty.

on Jun 10, 2012 · Like 0
Glenda D Boone, IA

Absolutely gorgeous.

on Jun 11, 2012 · Like 0
Liz B Atkins, AR

Spectacular

on Jun 11, 2012 · Like 0
Elizabeth C Bradford, PA

Thank you for shaing this most beautiful experience. The "Rose Bowl" parade of Italy! Simply stunning!

on Jun 11, 2012 · Like 0
MaryAnn D Ocala, FL

Beautiful

on Jun 11, 2012 · Like 0
Pat L Winston Salem, NC

Breathtaking! I couldn't do it because it's so temporal. I like seeing the fruits of my labor last a llllloooonnnnggggg time.

on Jun 11, 2012 · Like 0
Glenda B Maryville, TN

Breathtakingly beautiful! Such creativity, talent and hard work. Thanks for sharing.

on Jun 11, 2012 · Like 0
Sandy D Lake City, FL

Ahh wish I could see in person...my families roots

on Jun 11, 2012 · Like 0
Kevin M. Veler, Law Offic... Alpharetta, GA

What amazing talent.

on Jun 11, 2012 · Like 0
Melody G El Dorado, KS

Simply AMAZING!! I would never want it to fade away either.

on Jun 11, 2012 · Like 0
Linda R Murrells Inlet, SC

WOW!

on Jun 11, 2012 · Like 0
Marina A

wow!!!

on Jun 11, 2012 · Like 0
Marina A

I'm an artist and I love this! Thank you

on Jun 11, 2012 · Like 0
Patricia M Concord, VA

What a masterpiece! I love my flowers and one can only imagine the beauty of this to be seen, and the experience of being able to do so would literally," take my breath away" as the song goes. Going to Italy is at the top of my bucket list. Thanks for sharing!

on Jun 11, 2012 · Like 0
Vetsy Spartanburg, SC

The vision and talent of the towns people is breath taking! I love the colors and the Art work. These people are born Artist, in other words talented by nature! I'd love to see this in person.

on Jul 04, 2012 · Like 0
Tina M Fort Lauderdale, FL

wow!! that's eye candy :)

on Aug 03, 2012 · Like 0
Gena R Tenafly, NJ

That is amazing!

on Aug 08, 2012 · Like 0
Originals by Rhonda Walnut Cove, NC

wow...

on Sep 02, 2012 · Like 0

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Painted with petals

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