The first editions of the event date as far back as to the beginning of the 20th century and were organized to celebrate the Carnival time or the beginning of the spring. Around 1930, however, the parade acquired an official character and began to take place every year with precise rules.
La Battaglia dei Fiori di Ventimiglia is one of the 35 national events that have obtained the recognition to be listed in the Events of Italian Heritage and Traditions published by the Ministry of Tourism. Each edition is attended by a dozen floats set up by the experts that each year measure themselves with a different challenge like including a message, a name or a concept into the theme. The floats are a mosaic of flowers and other - exclusively vegetable or plant - materials.
This very peculiar event differs clearly from similar flower festivals nearby because the floats have different themes each year and each representation of the theme must be completely covered with mosaic flowers.
Since the past decade the Battle of the Flowers has been preceded by a night parade held on a Saturday evening and which represents the debut of the flower floats. This first parade is concluded by a firework display and a white night. The following day, on a Sunday afternoon, the real battle is held - the final act of the festival - in which the floats are followed by musical bands and folk groups.
Dressed up people on the floats throw thousands of flowers at each other and, in the evening, the party ends with the awards ceremony for the best costume and the best float.
I like this event and its name, ‘Battle of the Flowers,’ because it stands for freedom and peace. Throwing flowers at each other is a sign of peace rather than a sign of battle and so this parade almost makes the world seem a utopic place full of colors and good thoughts.
Imagine a rain of roses, daisies and carnations and majestic floats moved around to the rhythm of the music: a show not to be missed.
Those who have already lived this exciting experience already know that it is better to attend it equipped with a tennis racket or similar to use it as a shield to shelter yourself from the hundreds of flowers that cross the sky. The people of the floats, dressed in traditional clothes also show off their rackets decorated for the occasion. It is worth staying until the end and seeing the city completely submerged in a blanket of colorful flowers. A true show!
The event, like all Italian events, is of course accompanied by succulent culinary proposals, attractions and really tempting street markets.
It is possible to buy entrance tickets online to facilitate access for spectators.
In Ventimiglia, in this town in the province of Imperia, there are also many things to see and one more beautiful and fascinating than the other.
Ventimiglia has in fact other treasures to show. Like Balzi Rossi, a suggestive site of white rocks overlooking the sea, easily reachable from the coastal roads. Inside, there are caves and caverns from prehistoric times such as the grotto del principe (the prince’s grotto). Here is also the Museum of the Balzi Rossi, which collects and preserves the archaeological finds found in the caves.
For those who want to visit the city, it is advisable to start from the Colla Walk and get to the cathedral. The building dates back to the 12th century and was erected on the remains of an ancient pagan temple. For nature lovers, the Hanbury Botanical Gardens are definitely worth a visit, where you can admire exotic plants from all over the world.
Floats at the Battle of the Flowers in Liguria
