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Float Burst

Every Easter Sunday (this year on 27 March 2005), one of the city's oldest and most atmospheric ceremonies, attended by thousands of people, takes place in front of Firenze Cathedral - the Scoppio del Carro, or 'Explosion of the Cart'.

The ceremony is thought to be related to the cult of fire transmitted from ancient pagan to Christian culture. From very early times it was the custom to light a holy candle which was then taken in procession from the church of Santa Maria Sopra Porta to the Baptistery.

From the year 850 onwards, Pope Leo IV ordered that on Holy Saturday lighted torches should be distributed to all the worshippers.

One of the men participating in the First Crusade (promoted by Pope Urban II) was Pazzino de' Pazzi, who after the conquest of Jerusalem brought back to Firenze as a reliquary some stone splinters from the Holy Sepulchre. These were subsequently used to light the holy candle, which marked the opening of the religious ceremony.

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La Giostra dell'Orso

Pistoia, July 25: La Giostra dell'Orso. To celebrate San Jacopo, Pistoia's Patron Saint, San Jacopo, the city's four neighborhoods (Golden Bear, Dragon, White Stag and Griffon) hold a joust in Piazza del Duomo. In pairs, the knights race twice around the square and then try to strike the target, a bear, with their lances.

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Gioco del Ponte: Pisa, the last Sunday in June.

The city's neighborhoods compete over the bridge in the heart of town. Beautiful.
Pisa was once queen of the seas, and when her sailors boarded enemy ships they carried the mazzascudo (shield-club), a weapon that served as both club and shield. It was a tricky weapon to use, and required practice. The young men of the city's two districts, Gallo and Gazza, would gather in what was then Piazza degli Anziani (the Old Men's Square, now Piazza Cavalieri) and hew at each other until only one side was left standing. People often died.

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Good Friday: La Rievocazione storica del Venerdì Santo

Grassina (Just outside Florence)
Christ's life and Passion; a spectacular display of religious sentiment that culminates with His crucifixion

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Carnevale di Viareggio

Each year at Viareggio, between January and March there is the most popular event in the whole of Tuscany well known throughout Europe: the Carnival.

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Tuscany’s Celebration

Tuscany’s Celebration on November 30
tel. 0552616051/6

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St. Reparata’s feast

St. Reparata’s feast: walking race and pageant on October 8
tel. 0552616051/6

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Bacco Artigiano

Bacco Artigiano. The mad cart on September from 26 to 28

tel. 0552616051

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Rificolona on the Arno

Rificolona on the Arno lighted boats' parade and prize-giving of the best Rificolana handmade on September 7

tel. 055282130

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Blessing of the wine

Blessing of the wine and offering to the Lords of Florence by the Guild of the Winemakers on
September

Chiesa di San Carlo dei Lombardi e Piazza della Signoria tel. 055284715

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