Easter and florentine tradition
on Easter morning, the Scoppio del Carro will be celebrated in front of the Duomo in Florence, it is a mixed pagan/religious ceremony marking both Easter and Spring. A thirty-foot carved and painted wooden cart is pulled by flower-bedecked white oxen from Porta al Prato to Piazza del Duomo. A mechanical dove ‘flies’ down a line through the open doors of the cathedral, picks up ‘fire’ at the altar, returns to the cart and ignites the explosion of beautiful fireworks. Before the carro explodes a parade of armored guards, costumed musicians, and elegant nobility attired in 15th century dress enter the cathedral for the Easter Mass. Teams of flag throwers entertain the crowd of over 10,000 people who gather for the Scoppio del Carro. When the cart is ignited, the fireworks last for about 15 minutes, during which the bells in Giotto’s Campanile ring forth.
Tags: easter, easter in florence, lo scoppio del carro, pasqua, pasqua a firenze
