The Explosion of the Cart

The Explosion of the Cart (Lo Scoppio del Carro). On Easter Sunday, April 16, Florence will have an appointment for the Explosion of the Cart. An ancient Florentine folk tradition handed down for more than nine centuries, a ceremony that dates back to the ancient times of the first crusade.

The Historical Parade of the Florentine Republic will start from in Via Prato 48 at 8:00 am where the carriage doors will be open, until reaching Piazza del Duomo. Meanwhile in the Republic Square you will be able to appreciate the exhibition of flag bearers and musicians, which will start at 8:30. At the same time a representation of the historical procession will leave from the Piazzetta of the Guelph to Piazza della Signoria, where the Banner of the city will be taken. The mayor of Florence and the parade in historical clothing, will arrive in Piazza San Giovanni at 9.40 am with the “chariot of fire”.

This decorated float, also called the “Brindellone”, is well stocked with fireworks and will stop at the cathedral where it will wait for the Mass to start. Here will take place the draw for the matches combination for the Tournament of the Calcio Storico Fiorentino. Finally at 11:00 from the altar of the Cathedral, the Archbishop will lit the sacred fire, a rocket shaped like a dove, “la Colombina”, which symbolize the Holy Spirit. La Colombina will fly out of the church along a wire until hitting the Chariot in the square between the Baptistery and the facade of Santa Maria del Fiore starting the spectacular fireworks. A unique and special tradition known as the Explosion of the Cart!

According to the tradition, if this ritual proceeds smoothly and without a hitch, promises prosperity of the fields for the harvest of the new season and good luck for the city and for its citizens. That´s why every year, everyone hopes for a perfect Bang!

The Banner and the Porta-fire with the reliquary and the stones will leave the square at the end of the Easter Mass at 12.30.