Easter is right on the horizon and Florence is getting ready to celebrate with a centuries-old tradition. Scoppio del Carro, or the Explosion of the cart, is a long-standing event that thousands from all over the world come to see. Its light and fanfare are sure to bring good luck for the rest of the year.
The Tradition’s origins
Though the exact start of this event is unclear, its inspiration dates back to the early 11th century. It stems from the first crusade in 1097 when Christian Europeans laid siege to Jerusalem. The Florentine, Pazzino de’ Pazzi, was the first to scale the walls of the city and add the crusade’s flag.
He was rewarded with flints from the Church of the Holy Sepulchr. He brought these flints back to Tuscany. Around Easter, they were used to light torches of holy fire in celebration. Sometime around the 15th century, the tradition began to resemble what it is today.
The Celebration today
Now, the event takes place at the Piazza del Duomo on Easter Sunday. The 9.1-meter tall, 500-year cart is escorted through town by soldiers, musicians, and townspeople in 15th-century dress.
This cart is affectionately nicknamed Brindellone, as its hollow center makes it move like a gangly boy. Brindellone starts its journey from Porta al Prato and stops before the Sant Maria del Fiore.
You may recognize this cathedral from the skyline pictures of Florence. It features a fantastic dome that is characteristic of Florentine culture. It is quite fitting then, that is there that the cart will be lit for the excited crowd of Florentine locals and visitors.
The day before, a priest uses the legendary flints to light a candle. This candle is used to light the Colombina, which represents the Holy Spirit. It is a dove-shaped rocket that is used to set off the first firework. A choir bellows right before this moment, rising to gear up the audience for what will be a great cacophony.
Then at 11 am, Colombina shoots its holy fire, and the cart begins its show. It starts with a loud pop, and then another. Puffs of smoke rise as the fireworks crack all the way around the cart. A series of sparklers light up in orange sprays. Tiny flickers of fire fall on the cobbled stones.
The excitement rises, and the explosion continues for the next 20 or so minutes. Finally, there is a grand climax of noise, fire, and cheers from the audience. If all goes well, this is a sign of good luck for the rest of the year.
However, there is a sense of trepidation. Legend says that if the Scoppio del Carro does not go off without a hitch, bad luck will come to Florence and its people.
The last time the cart failed to be lit by the Colombina was in 1966. That year, a terrible flood shook the city. So, citizens may hold their breath until the final moment. We will be wishing for good luck this year!
Truly, this is a must-see event for those who want to spend their Easter in the historical and beautiful city of Florence. It is an exciting mash-up of joy, tradition, and spirituality. It will be a busy, bustling event.
One tip we can give you is to make sure to get to the piazza early so that you can get a good view of the cart. You will also have a better chance of taking some fun pictures in front of the Cathedral and Baptistery before the crowds come.
If you would to see more of the city, you can take one of our guided walking tours with a certified guide. They can tell you more about Florence’s Easter celebrations.
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