March 25th is celebrated as the traditional New Year’s Day in Florence, a custom that continued until 1750. It was on this date that the Grand Duke Francis III of Lorraine decided to align the New Year with the Gregorian calendar, which had already been adopted across the rest of Italy since 1582. March 25th is also significant in the Christian calendar, as it commemorates the Annunciation—the moment the angel Gabriel announced the incarnation to the Virgin Mary. Consequently, this date became the starting point of the civil calendar in Florence. Though the Feast of the Annunciation typically falls on March 25th, it may be rescheduled in Catholic, Anglican, and Lutheran calendars when it coincides with Holy Week, Easter Sunday, or other significant dates.
On March 25th, visitors can explore the Brindellone, a magnificent cart used in the Scoppio del Carro (Explosion of the Cart) event, which takes place each year on Easter morning. Standing nearly 12 meters tall and 3.5 meters wide, the cart is located at Via del Prato 48 and can be visited from 10 AM to 6 PM. Knowledgeable guides are available to discuss the cart’s features, its history, and the key figures who participate in the Easter procession.
Learn more about the Scoppio del Carro.
Since 2020, March 25th has also been recognized as Dantedì, a day to celebrate the start of Dante Alighieri’s remarkable journey into the Inferno, as described in his famous work, the Divine Comedy.
Various fairs, museum openings, and other festivities occur not just on March 25th but also in the days surrounding it in Florence.
Discover more about festivals and events in Tuscany
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Author: Anna Maria Baldini
