Monet immortalized the lilac spread of lavender fields in 19th-century Provence and these days, the Castellini family’s lavandeto purple shades fan out in the valley below Assisi.
The Artist’s Garden at Giverny – Claude Monet
Over forty varieties of lavender
At their late June/early July Festa della Lavanda – sixth edition this year – visitors meandered along paths in the family’s 4 acres of purple, white, blue, pink and lavender (over forty) varieties, stopping to take photos of medieval Assisi perched on a hill off in the distance, purple lavender swatches in the foreground. Some opted for a horse-drawn carriage ride along the paths in the midst of the lavender, others rode horses or led their children on horses.
Visitors capture the magic of Assisi on the hill above lavender fields
Some visitors ride horses through the lavender fields
Various stands lined the paths, too: one displayed lavender sachets, soaps, bouquets and lavender-themed embroideries and at another, Stefano sold cookies with lavender (and not only). Nearby, young Vienna displayed her paintings incorporating flowers and at another stand, the artist showed paintings on the floral motif. And if you’re hungry, head to the cheese stand to savor local cheeses, accompanied with local wines or beer. (Note: lavender-highlighted dishes star at Saturday night dinners during the festival).
At the entrance, a stand with lavender creams, soaps, sachets, bouquets..and not only…
Stefano sells cookies with lavender – and artisanal jams, sweets
Flower-wreathed Vienna with her artwork incorporating flowers
Vienna’s artwork starring flowers
The paintings of a local artist on the flower theme
At the cheese stand, time for a snack
Taste the varieties of top local cheeses
Visitors enjoy cheese snacks near the lavender majesty
And not just lavender stars at this festival: other aromatic plants and herbs were on display and on sale as well. And just past the nursery stands, Tuscan banker Roberto proudly displays his handmade cane and willow baskets of every shape imaginable. “I grew up in a family of cestai (“basket-makers”) and now that I’m retired, this has become my passione.” It was late Sunday afternoon and he was loading up his van with the baskets, heading home to Pescia,Tuscany until next Friday and the second weekend of the Festa della Lavanda.
Lavender plants and herbs of every imaginable variety on sale at this festa.
Tuscan retired banker, Roberto, has become an expert cessation.
Dusk was drawing in and day was giving up to the night as I left the lavender fields, the purples now delicately muted. But their perfume permeated the air.
…and thanks to Lorena Castellini, Il Lavendeto di Assisi, for the photos below:
Click here to see Roberto’s baskets
Read about another June festival with a floral motif
Click here to read about an astounding Umbrian festival where flowers star
Read about a favorite June festival
What magnificence! Thanks for sharing this little slice of heaven.
Janine, glad you enjoyed..and wish you could be here to take in the lavender
perfumes as well!
Thank you very much.
Lorena IL LAVANDETO DI ASSISI
A pleasure, Lorena!
Hi! Thank you for sharing this. I’ve been searching the internet for days regarding lavender fields in Italy since we’re visiting Italy in June. May I ask, are the lavender fields accessible only during the lavender festival or are they open to tourists anytime in June? Also, are the lavender fields in Assisi accessible by public transportation or do we need to rent a car? Thank you very much! I love your pictures =))