Easter in Florence is a unique experience that enchants visitors from around the world with its centuries-old traditions, unparalleled anywhere else. Amidst streets rich in history and majestic buildings, the city transforms into a living stage where ancient rites and colorful celebrations merge to create a magical atmosphere. It is a time of year when Florence not only celebrates spirituality and rebirth but also opens up with a warm welcome to tourists, inviting them to become part of a cultural heritage deeply rooted in its history. If you are looking for an authentic Easter experience filled with history, art, and spectacular festivities, Florence is the destination not to be missed.
The story: from the First Crusade to the Brindellone
The allure of Easter in Florence has its roots in the times of the First Crusade, with the liberation of Jerusalem in 1099. The return of the Florentine hero, Pazzino de’ Pazzi, awarded with three shards of the Holy Sepulchre, marked the beginning of one of the city’s most evocative Easter traditions: the distribution of the “holy fire.” This purification rite, which involves igniting the fire from sparks produced by the sacred shards, has been enriched over time with the addition of the Scoppio del Carro, the Explosion of the Cart, a pyrotechnic event that symbolizes the continuity of life and community.
The celebration was briefly interrupted after the Pazzi conspiracy against the Medici in 1478 but was restored and enriched thanks to the influence of the preacher Girolamo Savonarola, testifying to the resilience of Florentine traditions. The cart used in the ceremony, known as the “Brindellone,” has become a symbol of strength and continuity, surviving over time to become a central element of contemporary Easter celebrations.
The Explosion of the Cart
The highlight of the celebrations is represented by the Explosion of the Cart, a ritual that combines faith, tradition, and spectacle. This event sees the “Brindellone” being pulled by two oxen adorned with flowers, starting from the Porta al Prato square and reaching the heart of the city, the Duomo square.
The flight of the colombina
Here, in a moment full of anticipation and symbolism, comes the flight of the colombina: a rocket shaped like a white dove, which sets off the fireworks placed on the cart. This colombina, equipped with four rockets, travels on a wire stretched about seven meters high, covering the distance of 150 meters that separates the main altar of the Duomo from the cart, on a round trip.
The successful flight of the colombina is a moment loaded with meaning: if the journey is completed without any hitches, it is considered a good omen for the harvest and prosperity of the coming year. At eleven o’clock, to the chant of “Gloria in excelsis Deo,” the colombina is launched, starting a spectacle of explosions and pyrotechnics that envelops the cart in a kaleidoscope of lights and colors. For about twenty minutes, the air fills with loud bangs and multicolored sparks, in a celebration explosion that symbolizes the distribution of the blessed fire to the city.
Easter in Florence: when and where
The Explosion of the Cart takes place on Easter morning in Piazza del Duomo: the Brindellone sets off from the Porta al Prato square and the colombina is launched at eleven, to the chant of Gloria in excelsis Deo.
Easter in Florence is an experience that deserves to be lived at least once. The Easter celebrations, which have been perpetuated for centuries, invite everyone to immerse themselves in the deep Florentine tradition. The climax of the celebrations is the Easter Mass at the Duomo. The heart of the festival is the Explosion of the Cart and the flight of the colombina, which is its symbol. If you are staying for the weekend, take a look at our itinerary for Florence in one day and our tips on where to eat.
For more information about the Easter Mass, we refer you to the official website of the Duomo of Florence:
