Easter in Florence

Today we caught an 8:45 am train to Florence from Rome.  It takes about an hour and a half by train, but the scenery is so nice that it seems quicker than that.  


Here are a few photos from the train, they aren't great because of the glare of the windows and the train moving, but you get the idea...

Once we got to the Florence train station, it was about a 10-15 minute walk to our hotel.  Our hotel in Rome was pretty out of the way, but convenient for using the metro.  Here in Florence we are right in the middle of everything and I think we'll be able to walk everywhere.  When we got to the hotel they needed a little more time to get our room ready, but they encouraged us to walk outside and see the Easter tradition of "Scoppio del Carro".  We had no idea what this was but once they explained it, we were excited to get to see it.  Here is the wikipedia explanation of the tradition that dates back to the year 1097 and the First Crusade, followed by some pictures.  The cart shows in some pictures but the daytime fireworks show didn't really turn out.  We were quite a few meters (as the Italians would say) back from the main event...

On the morning of Easter Sunday, the 30 foot tall antique cart (in use for over 500 years), moves from the Porta al Prato to the Piazza del Duomo . Hauled by a team of white oxen festooned with garlands of the first flowers and herbs of spring, the cart is escorted by 150 soldiers, musicians, and people in 15th century dress.

Meanwhile, a fire is struck using the historic flints from Jerusalem at Chiesa degli Santi Apostoli. It is then carried in procession to the cathedral square by members of the Pazzi family, clerics, and city officials.

The cart is loaded with fireworks while a wire, stretching to the high altar inside the cathedral, is fitted with a mechanical dove (the "columbina"). Shortly thereafter, at the singing of the Gloria in excelsis Deo during Easter Mass, the cardinal of Florence lights a fuse in the columbina with the Easter fire. It then speeds through the church to ignite the cart outside.

During all of these stages, the bells of Giotto's campanile ring out.

The complex fireworks show that follows lasts about 20 minutes. A successful display from the "Explosion of the Cart" is supposed to guarantee a good harvest, stable civic life, and good business.

After checking this out, we went back to the hotel and the room was ready.  We are staying at a bed and breakfast in Florence for three nights and the room and location are both very nice...

Once settled, it was off to lunch at a place recommended by the hotel and then out on the town to check out the city.  

I decided to check out the stone guy's butt...

This is a replica of the Statue of David in front of the Palazzo Vecchio which is a 30 second walk from our hotel.  The real Statue of David by Michelangelo is in the Accademia Museum in Florence and cannot be photographed.  We are going to try and see that on Tuesday...

The Ponte Vecchio bridge and surrounding area is very pretty.  The original bridge dates back to the Roman times but was washed out by a flood in 1117.  It was rebuilt, destroyed again, and now the current bridge has stood since 1345...

We have become very fond of Gelato and have several places to buy around out hotel in Florence, doesn't it look delicious?

We'll post more on Florence tomorrow.  It is raining outside and not sure how much more we'll get done today.  Happy Easter and we love and miss you guys!