Easter in Florence and one of the most dramatic spectacles - the Scoppio del Carro

Visitors from all parts of the world come to Florence to participate at their holiday celebration on Easter Sunday

Visitors from all parts of the world come to Florence to participate at their holiday celebration on Easter Sunday. The highlight of the celebration is called Scoppio del Carro (the explosion of the cart) and dates back over 350 years. This tradition finds its origins in events that are partly historic and partly legendary. On Easter Sunday, a 30-foot tall antique cart dating back 500 years is hauled by a team of white oxen from Porta al Prato to the Piazza del Duomo and accompanied by 150 soldiers, musicians and revellers costumed in 15^th century dress.

After singing Gloria in excelsis Deo in Easter Mass, the archbishop lights a fuse inside a mechanical dove connected to the wire which speeds through the church and ignites the fireworks inside the cart for a 20-minute. If the complex ritual proceeds smoothly and all of the fireworks go off, good luck is ensured for a good harvest for this year as well as for the city and its citizens – so we hope for a wonderful explosion of the cart every Easter!

Source: Forbes