Italian culture in Florence doesn’t always mean paintings,
statues, churches and monuments but also…
The Italian culture in Florence did not come to where it is today thanks only to the monuments and works of art with which the city is full of, but also thanks to the many commemorations that are celebrated during the year. If you have the chance to experience one of these events, you will feel that you are taking part in something that is unique in the world. All your senses will be shaken up, the smell of worn out leather, the magnificent colored costumes, the shots and even the brutality will bring you back to the middle ages (in some occasions even before that!!)
The oldest of all these commemorations is the scoppio del carro (the blowing up of the wagon) that takes place at Easter. According to the Florentine tradition a good explosion will help the harvest in the countryside…
We can’t guarantee you that but for sure we can guarantee you a good fireworks display in ‘Piazza Duomo’ and that doesn’t happen everyday!
Before the explosion, teams are drawn at random for calcio storico Fiorentino (historical Florentine soccer). If you are not easily impressed by seeing one of these games you can at least enjoy a small sample of what the Florentines did to entertain themselves during the middle ages and even during sieges! You will see hundreds of figures in costumes, armor, flag-throwers, canons and a lot of fights and battles without any rules (more or less!)
Scoppio del Carro
If you are in Florence at the end of June you can’t miss the performance of the Fochi di San Giovanni (St. John’s fireworks). It is the celebration of the patron saint of the city and takes place on the 24th of June with a firework display that is really spellbinding. One of the best places to enjoy the performance is on the ‘S.Trinità’ bridge, bring a sandwich and go there around 8 pm. Look towards ‘Ponte Vecchio’ and wait…
In the beginning of September the rificolona takes place. This antique celebration was born to honour the birth of the Virgin Mary. According to the Christian tradition, Jesus’ mother was born on the 8th of September.
In between January and February in Florence as in many other Italian cities the carnevale (carnival) takes place. Even the meaning of the word is very old,
but today it’s just an excuse to dress up, play jokes and make a ruckus on the streets of the city!
There are many other celebrations that take place outside the city, many of them are must sees. One of the most important ones is the
Palio di Siena
which is one of the oldest horse races ever. Even Dante talked about it in 1305…. if you are visiting Florence in July or in August you have to visit Siena... it’s so close!
Calcio Storico Fiorentino
By seeing these celebrations you will get in touch with the italian culture of Florence and the way of life as it was!
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