Visiting Florence it is very likely that one has a programme that is very oriented towards arts, culture, and architecture. As one of the most important cities during the Renaissance it bares a great amount of art work and architecture of that time. But depending on the time of year you are visiting it is nice to know what events are going on in Florence around that time.
In case you have rented Florence apartments for the beginning of September you should know about one of the biggest and most traditional festivals of the city. On September 7 the Festa della Rificolona takes place. It can be translated as the Festival of the Lanterns during which there will be a parade at night where children will carry lit lanterns through the streets.
The festivity has somewhat of a religious background and remembers the birth of the Virgin Mary, however there is not much information about it and the religious component of the celebration is very limited. Another theory goes back to one of Tuscany’s biggest market days in the past. Since it was a big market in the fall people would buy many things preparing for the winter months already.
So everyone from the country got up extra early that day, before the break of dawn to not be left without food. As it was still dark they always brought lanterns to find their way. So today everybody takes part in a parade that Piazza Santa Croce to Piazza Santissima Annunziata holding mostly hand-made lanterns. Young and old participates in the walk and everyone gets really creative with the lanterns. The streets will be filled with colorful lanterns.
Along with the lantern parade there are many other events throughout the city. The parade ends at the Piazza Santissima Annunziate where the celebrations continue with street performances, food stands, music, etc. On the Arno river there will be a boat parade.
There is a lot offered on September 7 and everyone that has a lantern can join the parade. It will be nice to see the streets full of people with lanterns in their hand. Have you looked for apartments in Florence, yet?
Leave a Reply