Event: The Tredesìn de Marz and the Festa dei Fiori (Flower Festival) in Milan

Milan, March 15, 2026 Tredesìn de Marz Flower Festival and celebration of Spring.

Tredesìn de Marz
March 15, 2026
Via Crema and the Porta Romana-Vigentino area

As the cold winter months come to an end, Milan prepares to welcome the arrival of spring with one of its oldest and most beloved traditions – the Tredesìn de Marz. This celebration, which Traditionally falls on March 13th, but it’s celebrated on the closest Sunday (this year it’s March 15th), not only marks the beginning of the new season, but also holds historical significance in the city’s rich culture, tied to the Festa dei Fiori (flower festival) in the Porta Romana-Vigentino area. So, why is this date so special for Milan and its inhabitants? Let’s delve into the history and traditions surrounding the Tredesìn de Marz.

Legend has it that on March 13th, 51 AD, the apostle Saint Barnaba brought Christianity to the people of Milan and planted a cross on a round stone with thirteen rays, a symbol that has also been linked to ancient Celtic spring rituals. This stone, known as the Tredesin, is now on display in the Church of Santa Maria al Paradiso (Corso di Porta Vigentina, 14), where it has been since the demolition of the original church of San Dionigi in the 18th century. The Tredesin, with its thirteen lines radiating from a central hole, is believed to represent the thirteen months of the lunar calendar.

Today, the Tredesìn de Marz is often accompanied by the Festa dei Fiori, a fair held in the streets of Via Crema and surrounding areas near Porta Romana. This fair, with its colorful flower stalls and various activities, is a celebration of the transition from winter to spring. It is also believed that cutting children’s hair on this day will make it grow thicker and stronger.

The Tredesìn de Marz has been immortalized in literature as well, with Italian author Emilio De Marchi dedicating a poem to the celebration. In his work, he describes the beauty of the fair and the arrival of spring, with references to a young girl named Carolina and her floral accessories.

So, if you are in Milan on March 15th, be sure to visit the Church of Santa Maria al Paradiso to see the famous Tredesin and join in the festivities of the Festa dei Fiori. It’s a perfect opportunity to experience the city’s rich history and embrace the arrival of spring.

Further reading and event info: www.comune.milano.it