The term "Infiorata" means "decorated with flowers". Infiorata is a tradition in many Italian towns when, during May and June, the streets are carpeted with amazing floral designs. The oldest one originated in Gerano, a village near Tivoli. The feast in Gerano, connected to the Christian celebration of Corpus Christi, dates back to around the 17th century.
In Tivoli, since 1993, on the first Sunday of May, the inhabitants of the Via Maggiore district cover the whole street with allegorical carpets of flowers, and the religious procession of the Madonna di Quintiliolo, led by the bishop of Tivoli, passes over them.
On Saturday evening approximately twenty images, generally representing the Blessed Virgin, other subjects or simply striking geometric patterns, are created by local artists. Designs are sketched first in chalk and the lines are marked with soil. Then comes the job of filling in the marvelous creations with flower petals, which are cut to a uniform size. Some tapestries also use entire petals and other greenery, making the scenes more three-dimensional.
The theme is decided from year to year.