It was 1956 when a group of citizens from Castiglione del Lago first decided to celebrate tulip growing, a tradition started thirty years earlier by an enlightened landowner, Remo Zenobi, and later abandoned. Every year since, the magic of the “Tulip Festival” has returned, and for its 53rd edition it brings a fresh wave of events that, from 21 April to 1 May 2023, will once again make this lakeside town the Italian capital of spring.
Two weeks during which every corner of Castiglione del Lago will be graced by an event that enjoys ever-growing acclaim both nationally and internationally. Shows, attractions, fairs, food and wine, sporting events, spaces for children and, above all, the three eagerly awaited parades of allegorical floats fully decorated with tulip petals: this is the proud calling card presented by the ”Castiglione del Lago Events Association“, which has been working for months to make the event as appealing as possible for lovers of beauty and togetherness, whether locals or visitors!
The Rocca di Gradara, where Paolo and Francesca lived out their tragic love story; the setting of the Battle of Campaldino between the Guelphs and Ghibellines, against the backdrop of Poppi Castle; the famous little square of Castel San Pietro Romano, where Vittorio De Sica and Gina Lollobrigida gave their legendary performances in “Bread, Love and Dreams“; and the quintessentially Abruzzese setting of Pacentro, where for over 200 years the barefoot ritual of the “Corsa degli zingari” (Gypsies’ Race) has been renewed. These are the places and traditions brought to life by the four allegorical floats that will be the main attraction of the 2023 “Tulip Festival“! This year the association has once again drawn on its well-established partnership with the “I Borghi più belli d’Italia” (The Most Beautiful Villages in Italy) association to make the three parades, scheduled for Sunday 23, Tuesday 25 April and, exceptionally held at night, Sunday 30 April, truly unforgettable.
A truly spectacular event that will see the four towns behind the floats take part alongside their respective local authorities and folklore groups, who will parade in traditional costume showcasing the finest features of their own territories. Key to this has been the support of the president of “I Borghi più belli d’Italia”, Fiorello Primi, and the mayors of the small guest towns: Gianpaolo Nardi (Castel San Pietro Romano), Filippo Gasperi (Gradara), Guido Angelilli (Pacentro) and Carlo Toni (Poppi), who, together with their teams, have become fully-fledged members of the Castiglione community in preparing this 53rd edition of what is, in every sense, Umbria’s biggest and most important spring festival!
Among the most eagerly awaited moments of the event is the “Trasimeno Jumboparty“, two days of fun reliving the magic of the 1950s and 60s through a gathering of vintage cars, motorbikes and Vespas, live music and entertainment, all organised by “I cinquantini eventi vintage“. Also getting underway is the fourth edition of the “Trasimeno Rosé Festival“, in partnership with the Consorzio Tutela Vini Colli del Trasimeno (the local wine consortium), offering a journey through the flavours, excellence and history of the area.
Throughout the event, the “Terrazza del Rosé“ (Rosé Terrace) will also be open, a tasting and promotional spot for local wine labels set against the unique backdrop of the hill beside the Rocca del Leone. On that same hill, visitors will be welcomed by the “Taverna del Tulipano“, where every evening traditional dishes will be served, prepared with care by the skilled hands of the town’s own women, as well as the “Bar del Poggio“. The programme naturally includes sport too, with the fourth edition of “La Trasimena“, a vintage cycling event around Lake Trasimeno open to historic bikes made before 1987, and the national football tournament “Trasimeno Cup“, reserved for youth categories.
The true stars of the event will, of course, be the heralds of spring itself: flowers, plants and, above all, tulips, which will fill Castiglione del Lago with scent and colour for a full 11 days! A rich spring programme that once again places Castiglione del Lago among Umbria’s most appealing destinations, thanks to the collaboration of the Town Council, local associations, the many sponsors who have long supported the event, and above all the many volunteers who spend months planning and preparing it. Information and the full programme are available at www.festadeltulipano.com
