The flower-carpet town of Spello, whose lanes are paved with intricate petal pictures for the Corpus Domini Infiorate each June and whose Roman gates and frescoed churches reward a slow wander
Spello is a rose-pink hill town on the lower slopes of Monte Subasio in central Umbria, built largely of local stone and wrapped in Roman walls and gates, and it is best known for the Infiorate di Spello, one of the most spectacular flower festivals in Italy. Each year on the feast of Corpus Domini, in late spring or early June, the townspeople transform the steep streets into a gallery of intricate pictures and geometric carpets made entirely from flower petals, leaves and seeds. Through the night before the religious procession, teams of infioratori work by lamplight, sorting and laying millions of petals to compose vast, detailed images, often of religious scenes, that stretch for nearly a kilometre along the lanes; at dawn the carpets are complete, and after a blessing the bishop walks over them in procession, after which they are gradually dispersed. Visitors come both to watch the overnight creation, an atmospheric and unusual experience, and to admire the finished carpets in the morning before they fade, with the town packed and lively. Beyond the festival, Spello rewards a visit at any time, with its Roman Porta Consolare and Porta Venere, the frescoed Cappella Baglioni by Pinturicchio, and flower-decked balconies that have earned it a reputation as a town of gardens. A festival visit can fill a full day and night, while an ordinary visit takes a couple of hours. Spello sits just below Assisi and is easily reached by car or by train to Spello station at the foot of the town.
Weather through the year in Umbria
Best time Shoulder Worth avoiding
Average daytime temperature in °C. Figures are for Umbria.
Highlights
- The Corpus Domini Infiorate, streets carpeted in petal pictures
- Overnight petal-laying by lamplight before the dawn procession
- Nearly a kilometre of flower carpets through the medieval lanes
- Roman gates, frescoed churches and flower-decked balconies year-round
Tips for visiting
- Come on the night of the Infiorate to watch the carpets being laid
- Arrive early on the morning of the procession before the petals fade
- Expect large crowds and limited parking during the festival, so arrive early
- Outside the festival, see the Roman gates and the Pinturicchio chapel
- Reach Spello by car or by train to the station at the foot of the town
When to visit
The Infiorate, around Corpus Domini in late spring or early June, is the highlight, best experienced overnight into the early morning. Outside the festival, spring and autumn are pleasant and far quieter for exploring the town.
Accessibility
Spello's steep, stepped and cobbled lanes make it challenging for wheelchair users, and the festival crowds add to the difficulty, though some lower streets and the main approach are more manageable.
Frequently asked questions
When does the Infiorate take place?
On the feast of Corpus Domini, in late spring or early June; the exact date moves each year with the religious calendar.
Is it worth it for kids?
Yes, the colourful carpets and the festive, busy atmosphere appeal to children, though the overnight creation runs very late for young ones.
Is there an admission charge?
Walking the town and seeing the flower carpets in the streets is free, though the festival draws large crowds and some individual sites charge entry.