The 17 contrade

The Legend of la BEFANA

Passion of Christ on Palm Sunday

The Grassina Passion Play

Gothic Dream

The Race or Bravio of St. Reparata

Wish upon a star

Halloween

Bacco Artigiano at Rufina

And who was St. Zenobius?

A home from home through the year

More Tuscan history

The Scottish market

easter traditions in florence

Doves & Cart explosions
[Susan Glasspool]

Florentine, Pazzino de’ Pazzi was apparently the first to climb the walls of Jerusalem and raise the Crusaders’ standard on July 15th 1099. Godfrey of Bouillion rewarded him with three flints from the Holy Sepulchre, which Pazzino brought back to Florence on his return two years later (July 16th 1101), when great celebrations were held in his honour.
At first kept in the family palace, the flints were later transferred to the Church of SS. Apostoli. For centuries they were used on Holy Saturday to light a brazier that was carried in procession to light Holy fires in every household. The Pazzi family, exiled after their plot against the rival Medici family in 1478, also introduced the old war cart. Fireworks were first attached to the cart in the 16th century, much to the amazement of the Florentines who flocked to see this unprecedented event.

The celebrations still centre around this huge, three-storey wooden fire cart, called the Brindellone, which is kept in its own “house” in Via Il Prato (look out for an unusual facade composed of a huge wooden door).
On Easter morning, six white oxen draw the cart to Piazza del Duomo, and position it in front of the Cathedral. A steel wire (formerly a greased rope) with a dove-shaped rocket attached to it, links the cart to the high altar.
At midday, after Easter Mass, all the bells peal in unison as the Archbishop lights the fuse of the dove with the Holy fire. It rushes down the wire at a breakneck pace to reach the cart and set off the fireworks. It speeds back to the altar, while the onlookers gape at the noisy crackers and colourful Catherine-wheels that fill the square with smoke.

It is considered a good omen for an abundant harvest, if the dove lights the fireworks without a hitch. Today the modern mechanism replacing the ancient dove rarely misses its target. A popular and spectacular event that should not be missed.


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