If you’re visiting Tuscany in Spring, make sure you check out the flowers festivals and shows that are on around the region. They fill towns and cities with amazing colours and make them truly special. The atmosphere is festive and joyful, the countryside is reborn and it’s the perfect time to spend time outside and celebrate the beautiful natural creations. From Florence to Lucca and Pienza, here you’ll find the top flower-themes events around Tuscany.
5 Amazing Flower festivals in Tuscany
1. Florence – Flower Show at Giardino dell’Orticoltura
The traditional Florence Flower Show is held every year at the Giardino Orticoltura at the end of April (traditionally from 25th April to 1st May), just outside Florence’s historic centre. It’s the most awaited of all Spring events in Florence for everyone who’s passionate about plants and flowers. Over 70 professionals arrive in Florence to showcase their best species, from azaleas to camellias, succulents, hydrangeas, geraniums, but also vegetables and seeds for the garden are on sale.
A show that inspires and educates -> with a program of free lessons about the world of plants. The entrance is free.
=> At the beginning of April there’s usually a Florence Flower Show at Giardino Corsini, a beautiful historic garden right in the centre of Florence. A delightful setting for a more intimate flowery experience.
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If you love flowers, and would like to meet the iris variety that is one of Florence’s symbols, you should visit the Iris Garden (Giardino dell’Iris) that is open every year from 25th April to 20th May. Here you’ll find over 3000 variety of the most unique and rare species of iris, from all over the world. Open: 10am-6pm every day, last entrance 5 o’clock – free entrance.
Lucca – Santa Zita Festival
In the week before the 27th of April the Saint Zita Fair animates the town of Lucca with thousands of flowers stalls. Hundreds of plants and flowers colour the streets around Piazza San Frediano and Piazza Anfiteatro. All in memory of Saint Zita, the charitable maid who dedicated herself to feeding the poor. You’ll also find local delicacies and sweets sold, for a full immersion in the fragrance and colours of Lucca in Spring.
At the beginning of April Lucca hosts the Verdimura Flower Show, during which its walls become the setting for a great flower market and show, with plenty of events dedicated to the world of plants and gardens.
Insider’s Tip => The charming Pfanner Palace in Lucca offers its visitors the chance to enjoy a stroll in the Baroque garden, at its best in May and June, when camellias, azaleas, and roses fill the air with their scent and the eyes with colour.
=> Check out the Best Things to do in Lucca during your trip!
Lucignano – Maggiolata Lucignanese
The Maggiolata in Lucignano – a small town near Arezzo – is a festival that commemorates nature with a profusion of eccentric flower displays, that are paraded about the town accompanied by music. It welcomes the summer and is hope for a fruitful crops. The locals have been organising it for almost a century, and take this colourful affair very seriously. The four historic neighbourhoods of Lucignano compete to create the best flower display – with carts completely decorated according to different themes. You’ll also find parades in historic costumes, Medieval games and shows. It’s usually held on the third weekend of May. Detailed info and tickets on the official site.
=> Discover why Lucignano is one of Tuscany’s top destinations for romance
“Pienza e i fiori” – Pienza dressed with Flowers
Pienza is one of Tuscany’s most charming small towns. Known as ‘Tuscany’s ideal city’, Pienza is beautifully dressed with flowers every year in May, during the event “Pienza e i Fiori”, when flower displays offer even more magic to the already unique setting of Piazza Pio II and the streets of the historic centre. It’s breathtaking and poetic. A great occasion to see Pienza in all its timeless glory. it’s traditionally on the 2nd weekend of May.
=> If you’re in Pienza, a visit to Palazzo Piccolomini is a must. The splendid Renaissance Palace, ancient residence of the Pope, has a garden that offers a view of the glorious Val d’Orcia countryside.
Scarperia – the “Infiorata” flower display
The small town of Scarperia in the Mugello, north of Florence, gets inundated with flowers during the last Sunday in May. The streets of the historic centre are covered in flowers and leaves creating elaborate designs, it’s a homage to spring and a great occasion to visit this Medieval town. The historic centre of Scarperia – Via Roma and the two beautiful squares Piazza Vicari and Piazza Clasio – is beautifully decorated with flower displays created by various local associations. It’s a good occasion to visit this town, famous for its handsome Palazzo dei Vicari and the production of artisanal knives.
What does infiorata mean? The term ‘infiorata‘ translates to ‘decorated with flowers’, and there are many around Italy throughout the year. This tradition of using flower petals to create complex colourful designs originated in the Vatican, Rome, in the 17th century. Flowers were used as mosaic tiles to give life to amazing compositions that looked like paintings.
And of course, if you’re visiting Tuscany in Spring, make sure you take a trip into the countryside, that is at its absolute best from the second half of April throughout May.
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