Roses, orchids, violets—this town, just 2 hours from Milan, is filled with flowers… But they’re all made of paper! The streets, front doors, and shops—these handmade creations by the community fill every corner of the village, transforming it into an enchanted garden. For the event, which lasts only 7 days, the alleys are decorated with over 200,000 flowers of all different colors and varieties, and each year, even more varieties are added to make this immersive floral experience truly unique .
The origins of this festival, which attracts thousands of visitors from all over, date back to 1836 after a cholera epidemic miraculously came to an end. To give thanks for the miracle, the residents celebrated by creating this festival with floral decorations, which was then passed down over time, becoming a true local tradition .
The tradition of paper flowers
The paper flowers are handmade by the residents, mainly women, using colored crepe paper. Petals, stamens, and leaves are shaped with scissors, glue, and thin wire, creating dozens of varieties using techniques passed down orally from generation to generation. Preparation for these creations begins years in advance, and flowers from previous editions are often reused.
About a month and a half before the festival begins, preparations start to decorate the town’s streets. Arches are built using wooden support poles, which are covered with flowers created in the four years leading up to the festival. The flowers created in the early 20th century were almost exclusively roses, the festival’s symbolic flower, but over the years the residents have developed new artisanal techniques, and today there are dozens and dozens of different reproductions of real flowers.
Where, when, and how to get there
The Feast of the Holy Cross is held every 5 years in the villages of Carzano and Novale on Monte Isola, on Lake Iseo. It is a celebration that takes place around September 14, the Feastof the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. To reach the two villages, you must first go to Iseo, which is just over an hour from Milan. From Iseo, Navigazione Lago d’Iseo boats reach Carzano in 15–20 minutes during the festival. The cost of a boat ticket is approximately €10–15 for adults and €5–8 for reduced-rate tickets (children/seniors). For organizational reasons, a pass for the event is required; it is free and available online.
When will the next edition take place? In 2030!