Scoppio del Carro
In the weeks leading up to Easter, I kept hearing people talk about the "exploding of the cart." I came to understand it is a centuries old tradition with a long and rich history. Google the title of this gallery and you'll find lots and lots of references to the history and the tradition. In modern Florence, it's an excuse for parties, parades, and pyrotechnics.
Easter morning, thousands of people gather at the Duomo. The warm up acts are parades, marching bands and flag throwers. Then this elaborate cart is drawn into the space between the Duomo and the Baptistry by a team of oxen with red bows adorning their tails. A wire leads from the high alter in the Duomo out the front door to the cart. At the stroke of 11:00, the Bishop of Florence lights a rocket powered dove. it comes shooting down the wire to the cart, pauses briefly, and goes shooting back into the Duomo. (You can just barely see the dove starting its return in the middle photo.)
If all has gone according to plan, fireworks mounted on the cart explode. It's quite a show. The cart is in surprisingly good condition for all the abuse it gets this one day a year. If you go, get there at least 2 hours ahead of time to get a place near the cart to watch. Alternatively, watch it from a friend's apartment overlooking the ceremonies, as I did.
Read MoreEaster morning, thousands of people gather at the Duomo. The warm up acts are parades, marching bands and flag throwers. Then this elaborate cart is drawn into the space between the Duomo and the Baptistry by a team of oxen with red bows adorning their tails. A wire leads from the high alter in the Duomo out the front door to the cart. At the stroke of 11:00, the Bishop of Florence lights a rocket powered dove. it comes shooting down the wire to the cart, pauses briefly, and goes shooting back into the Duomo. (You can just barely see the dove starting its return in the middle photo.)
If all has gone according to plan, fireworks mounted on the cart explode. It's quite a show. The cart is in surprisingly good condition for all the abuse it gets this one day a year. If you go, get there at least 2 hours ahead of time to get a place near the cart to watch. Alternatively, watch it from a friend's apartment overlooking the ceremonies, as I did.
