Easter in Florence

Next sunday it's Easter: even if the weather forecast says it's going to rain we want to be optimist! Weather in Italy, in March, is very changeable. So.. what's on for Easter in Florence?

In the morning (about 10.00 am) in Piazza Duomo there will be the 'Burst of the Carriage': the most famous ceremony of Florentine Easter that goes back to the times of the first crusades and mixes the Christian rite to the pagan tradition with the worship of fire. The Holy fires comes on a carriage hauled by six white Ox. Than the carriage is fired with a special fuse called the “colombina”. And if the “explosion” (fireworks) is well done, it will be a good year for Florence. Free entrance. Information: 055 2769703/4 Email: turismo1@comune.fi.it

Not far from Florence, in Grassina (10 minutes from Florence): every year the citizens of the village of Grassina participate to the celebration of the Holy Friday with the famous historical parade. More than 500 people in a realistic Historical Commemoration Of Good Friday. The whole village becomes a stage for the popular actors dressed in Roman and Palestinian costumes. The Passion of the Christ is realistically rebuilt on the beautiful hills that surround the village. One of the most renown manifestation of Italian Easter. Not to miss! Information: urp@comune.bagno-a-ripoli.fi.it

Don't know where to have lunch for Easter? try the great Easter brunch at Rifrullo's (an italian restaurant near Ponte Vecchio): for 20 euros you can eat as much you can. Info: info at ilrifrullo.com

The Easter Monday in Italy is called "lunedì dell'angelo" (monday of the angel) or even "pasquetta" (pasqua is the italian word for Easter). It's a tradition to have a ride outside the cities, and have lunch together with friends and relatives.

On th 24th March, in Greve in Chianti (30 minutes from Florence) there's "The Little Market of Things from the Past" (Mercatino delle cose del passato). One the most traditional markets in one of the most beautiful squares (piazza) of all Chianti and Toscana. An opportunity to visit of Chianti and maybe have a good stop in one of the restaurants, trattorie or wine shops of the Chianti country. From 8:00 A.M. to 7:00 P.M. Information Office: 055-8545227.