Spring is at its best, so that means there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy Nature and the local traditions connected to this. These include propitiatory rites for a good harvest, such as the ancient "Sposalizio dell'Albero" in Vetralla, the "Spring Festival" in Farnese, the "Fiera del Cedro" in Valentano, the "Festa dei Pugnaloni" in Acquapendente. Not to mention the many religious festivals, such as the "Festa di S. Bernardino" in Piansano (the perfect chance to see the local flag-throwers) and the "Barabbata" in Marta.

Festa di S. Bernardino
Piansano
On St. Bernardino's feast day (19th May), the Gruppo Sbandieratori of Piansano liven up the historical parade with trumpets and drums rolls, brightly coloured uniforms and, of course, plenty of acrobatic flag-throwing.

Barabbata
Marta
Farmers, craftsmen and fishermen, carts, hoes, spades, boats and fountains, wreaths of flowers and fruit: all in a procession to the sanctuary of Madonna del Monte (Our Lady of the Mountain). After the Holy Mass, "le Passate": each category performs three circuits of the Church, extolling the Madonna. Afterwards, the participants receive a plate and leave their donations on the altar steps: fish, cereals, vegetables and cheese. The priest holds "la Pace", a relic of the Madonna, for all to kiss and kneel to.

Festa dei Pugnaloni
Acquapendente
At first sight you'd be forgiven if you thought they were paintings, but they're not: they're flower mosaics! Petals, fresh and dried leaves, pine cones and needles, walnuts… In honour of Madonna del Fiore (Our Lady of the Flower), who appeared before two peasants in 1166, thus giving the local inhabitants the courage to rebel against their oppressor - the "tyrant" Frederick Barbarossa