The Procession of the “Paniere” basket flowers | Santa Maria a Monte

The Procession of the Paniere (Baskets Procession) in Santa Maria a Monte, represents the traditional religious festival in honor of the patron saint Blessed Diana Giuntini. It takes place every year on Easter Monday. This year, the event doubles with events also scheduled for Tuesday, April 22.

What are the “paniere”

The paniere are flower baskets that, offered as gifts by the districts, are carried on the heads of ladies accompanied by knights. The flowers recall the miracle of the Blessed: the transformation of the bread, which Diana carried in her apron, into roses and flowers. The event commemorates the transfer of the body of the Blessed Diana, Patron Saint of Santa Maria a Monte.

The Procession

The Procession of the Paniere begins at 6:00 pm in Via Costa near the ancient church of San Dalmazio, at the foot of the hill, and reaches the Collegiate Church of San Giovanni Apostolo ed Evangelista. In 1327, the year in which the castle and the parish church were destroyed by the Florentines, the body of the Blessed was instead transferred to the church of San Dalmazio. When the castle was rebuilt, the body was finally moved to the current Collegiate Church.

Open museums and guided tours

From 3:00 p.m., painting and photography exhibitions, children’s shows, cultural initiatives, guided tours of the “underground town“, street theater entertainment for adults and children. Free admission to the museum centers, with dramatized guided tours.
There are four museums that can be visited: the La Rocca Archaeological Area, the annexed Beata Diana Giuntini Civic Museum, the Casa Carducci Museum, the house in which the poet’s family lived from 1856 to 1858. You can climb the Clock Tower, former defense of the medieval castle, from which you can enjoy a beautiful view of the Lower Valdarno