Florence is a wonderful city, always it does not matetr when you visit it.
But I believe that Florence is at its best at Easter. This time of the year is a unique combination of ancient traditions and cultural events as well as the best climate that the city offers all through the year. You really feel that winter has now given way to spring and the trees and flower bloom while the light and the hills around Florence create a truly magical atmosphere.
What are the best things to do at Easter in Florence?
Witness the explosion of the cart – lo scoppio del carro
One of the most spectacular Easter traditions in Florence is the explosion of the cart – Scoppio del Carro
This tradition dates back to the times of the first crusade, that is to say 1099. The honorable knight Pazzino de Pazzi was the first crusader to place the banner of the crusaders on the walls of liberated Jerusalem and for this the leader of the crusade, Godfrey of Bouillon, gave him the honor to take home three stones from the sacred Sepulcher of Christ. Pazzino took them to Florence and since then these three stones have been used for Easter to lit the Holy Fire (i.e. the light of Jesus’ resurection) which explodes (lights up) the cart during mass.
On Easter Sunday the “Brindellone”, this is the local name of the splendidly decorated cart, is accompanied in procession by 150 men in costume from the Historical Group of the Florentine Republic and by a procession of flag-wavers up to the Cathedral.
Even the Mayor and the city authorities, with another procession, set off towards the Cathedral.
Everyone, that is, the cart, the flag-wavers, the authorities and the Bishop, meet between the cathedral and the baptistery and the celebration of mass begins.
At the moment of the Gloria in excelisis deo (around 11am), the Bishop lights the “colombina” (that is to say a a rocket) with the Holy Fire of the three stones, that from the main altar of the church reaches the cart in the square.
The colombina lits the cart’s fireworks which, with their sparks, bring the Easter light to all the homes of Florence.
At this point the colmbina must go back.
This tradition is in fact a symbol of good luck and prosperity for the city, and the explosion of the cart is believed to bring blessings for the following year but only if the colombina flight is successful: there and back.
The Scoppio del Carro is a unique and exciting experience not to be missed when you are in Florence during Easter.
It is certainly a tourist celebration but it is still very much felt by the Florentines!
Visit the Gardens at Easter in Florence
The spring season is the perfect time to visit the gardens and enjoy the blooming flowers and trees. The monumental gardens in the center of Florence are the Boboli Gardens, located behind Palazzo Pitti and the Bardini Gardens.
Both are excellent places to take a walk and admire not only majestic and beautiful plants but also sculptures and fountains and above all enjoy the breathtaking view of the city. In this period, you can perhaps already admire the beautiful wisteria in bloom in the Bardini garden. A true marvel!
Exploring the gardens of Florence during Easter is a perfect way to relax and enjoy the beauty of nature. We recommend our tour of the gardens.
Out of town at Easter in Florence
Admire the view from the Fiesole Terrace
In Fiesole, a small village about 7 km away from Florence that you can reach by car or bus (n.7) near the San Francesco monastery there is a beautiful terrace from which it is possible to admire a breathtaking panorama over the entire city of Florence.
From tehre you can enjoy Florence from a suggestive perspective as you can recognize all the most famous points of the city such as Brunelleschi’s Dome and the tower of Palazzo Vecchio. But you can also see the whole valley and the Arno which dominates it.
Pratolino Park
A few km from Florence, reachable both by bus and car, there is the splendid park of the Medici Villa of Pratolino, later renamed Villa Demidoff following the acquisition of the property by a Russian family.
Almost nothing remains of the original villa except the beautiful statue of the Apennines by Giambologna but the park, although also modified several times, represents one of the most beautiful and vast gardens in Florence.
Museums at Easter in Florence
Easter in Florence is of course also a visit to its rich cultural heritage.
On Easter day, in general, the museums (at least the state ones) are almost all open, even the Uffizi which is one of the most famous museums in Florence and houses a vast collection of Renaissance art, including works by Michelangelo, Botticelli and Leonardo da Vinci.
Even on Easter Monday there is a wide range of places to visit such as the Accademia Gallery, which houses Michelangelo’s famous David and the Prisoners, as well as the Bargello Museum where the rich history of the city is showcased through a collection of medieval and Renaissance sculptures such as Donatello’s Saint George, or the San Marco museum with splendid works by Fra Angelico, or the Orsanmichele museum recently reopened after 2 years of restoration.
Typical dishes at Easter in Florence
Easter in Florence is also an opportunity to savor traditional dishes. Before starting the actual lunch, we must pay homage to the eggs, which are traditionally blessed during the Easter mass and eaten by all members of the family. Previously they were hard-boiled eggs that were brought to be blessed but now, more and more often, chocolate eggs are also blessed in churches,
On the occasion of Easter, the Florentine steak (the most typical dish of Florence) gives way to lamb, cooked mainly roasted and served as the main course.
Among the desserts I mention the Schiacciata and the Colomba.
La schiacciata pasquale is a sweet cake made with sugar, flour, eggs and anise seeds, which give it a unique flavor and aroma. The dough is left to rise for several hours before being baked to perfection, resulting in a light and fluffy texture. Schiacciata di Pasqua is a staple dessert served during Easter in Florence, and is often enjoyed with a cup of coffee.
La Colomba di Pasqua is a sweet dove-shaped bread similar to panettone but with candied fruit on top and a more delicate flavour.