The main role is played by the so-called "carro" - a richly decorated medieval cart about 9 metres high, which is filled with pyrotechnics. It is pulled by white oxen through the streets of Florence to the square in front of the cathedral. The oxen are festooned with garlands of the first flowers and herbs of spring and are accompanied by 150 soldiers, musicians and people in 15th-century costumes.
The course of the festival
At 11:00 a.m., during the solemn Easter Mass, a mechanical dove (colombina), a symbol of the Holy Spirit, shoots from the main altar. This "colombina" rides a rope from the altar to the chariot in front of the cathedral and, if all goes well, lights the pyrotechnics on the chariot. The wagon then "explodes" - lights up, sparks, sparkles, fireworks sound - and all of this is considered a good omen for the coming year.
When a dove gets "stuck" or fails to reach the wagon, it is considered a bad omen - people interpret it as a portent of crop failure or other misfortune.
Historical roots
The tradition dates back to the 11th century, when a Florentine knight, Pazzino de' Pazzi, brought back stones from Christ's tomb in Jerusalem from the First Crusade. These stones are used to light the Easter fire, which then lights the dove.
The festival is a combination of Christian symbolism and pagan rituals of fertility and purification.
When and where?
This year, the Scoppio del Carro takes place on Easter Sunday, 20 April 2025. The festivities begin around 10:00 a.m. in front of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence and culminate at around 11:00 a.m., when a mechanical dove sets fire to a chariot.
If you can't be there in person, you can watch the live stream online. The ceremony will be broadcast live on Italian regional television RTV38. The live stream will also be available from 10am on the official RTV38 website: www.rtv38.com.
You can also see what the celebration looks like on our Facebook and Instagram pages
