Genazzano

Genazzano gently extends along a tuffaceous spur on the slopes of the Monti Prenestini. It was already a popular holiday destination in the time of the ancient Romans, which speaks volumes about the pleasant landscape that surrounds it. It later captivated the powerful Roman Colonna family, who built the mighty Colonna Castle there, which now, in a greatly altered form, guards the town from the north. As with many famous members of the family, which include men of arms, patrons of the arts and men of letters, Genazzano was the birthplace of Oddone Colonna, in 1369. Known to history as Martin V, he was the pope to whom we owe the resolution of the Western Schism, which had led to the transfer of the papal see to Avignon. More than to Martin V, pilgrims pay tribute to the santuario della Madonna del Buon Consiglio (shrine of Our Lady of Good Counsel), founded in the 13th century and the site of many miracles. On the first Sunday in July, according to the tradition of the Infiorata, a very long and colourful carpet is laid out in the streets of the town centre. The creation of the carpet of flowers, more than one and a half kilometres long, is the result of techniques handed down from generation to generation by the families of Genazzano.