Fabriano is a carefully preserved medieval city and it comes alive during the San Giovanni Festival. Il Palio di San Giovanni, or Saint John Contest, is a nine days event that includes medieval reenactment, historical parades, flower displays, and a blacksmiths contest. We arrive in Fabriano the last day of the Palio, in the late afternoon, the town is alive with people in medieval costumes and colored banners: even the shops have cheerful decorations.
We join the crowd in the evening passeggiata (stroll) and we land at one of the “infiorata”. It turns out to be a huge picture of religious inspiration displayed on the church floor. Looking closely at it we realize is all made of crushed flower petals and herbs. On a small table nearby are shown the materials used for the picture. This technique comes from an old tradition and each borough of the city proudly displays its own infiorata in its church.
We catch a glimpse of the historical parade and when the people in costumes disperse in the alleys and mingle with the crowd, we continue to the main square. It is a magnificent sight: the flashy standards swing in the evening breeze and the square looks straight of of medieval times. Surprisingly enough the event is not very touristy, the crowd is composed mainly by locals and everyone is eager to explain and give directions.
Palio di San Giovanni and Fabriano
Museo della Carta This town has an ancient tradition of paper mills, find out about the history and making of paper at the museum. La Grotta Grande del Vento (Great Cave of the Wind) was discovered by a local group of speleologist in the seventies. It part of a huge complex of tunnels and caves that is now open to the public and definitely worth a visit. Close to the Frasassi Caves is this Spa complex, it offers aesthetic treatments as well as cures for various pathologies.
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