Celebrating Easter Week in Florence

Be part of the crowd that participates in the many Easter events in the city of the Renaissance; the following is a guide. Many — from museum openings and concerts to the week’s signature special events — have the added bonus of being free of charge.

MUSIC

ORCHESTRA DELLA TOSCANA (Wednesday, March 28) conducted by Ryan McAdams. Music of Bach, Piazzolla, Ginastera and Stravinsky. Teatro Verdi, via Ghibellina, 99. 9 pm.

The Easter week concert marks young American conductor’s Ryan McAdam’s debut with the Orchestra della Toscana.  In the States, McAdams has worked with Lorin Maazel and James Levine. The performance commences with Stravinsky’s chamber concerto Dumbarton Oaks. The second part of the program is dedicated to two 20th century Argentinean composers: Alberto Ginaster and Piazzolla, whose bandeoneon moves to a tango rhythm. Ivano Battiston, professor at the “Cherubini” Conservatory of Florence, is the accordion soloist.

VIRI GALILAEI CHOIR (Wednesday, March 28). Free admission.

The Gregorian chant choir will present “Tenebrae factae Sunt,” conducted by Enzo Ventroni, which focuses on the passion and death of Christ in a sort of sacred drama. The concert takes place at the Refectory of Santa Croce beginning at 9 pm.

MUSEUM OPENINGS ON EASTER

Easter Day, Sunday, April 1, offers free admission to state-run museums: the Uffizi and Accademia galleries, the Palatine Gallery, the Porcelain Museum, the Costume Gallery and the Silver Museum in the Pitti Palace complex (all open 8:15 am – 6:50 pm), the Bargello National Sculpture Museum (8:15 am – 4:50 pm), the Archeological Museum (8:30 am – 2 pm), the Medici Chapels and the Palazzo Davanzati (8:15 am – 1:50 pm), in addition to the Boboli Gardens as well as the Bardini Gardens (both accessible from 8:15 am – 6:30 pm).

Pratolino Park reopens on Easter, Sunday, April 1 (Villa Demidoff). The park complex boasts rich flora and fauna, and is home to 99 animal species and rare trees and plants such as white pines and giant oaks. The park is open to public from 10 am – 8 pm.

The free Sunday openings for municipal museums (Domenica metropolitana) has been moved to April 8.

SPECIAL EVENTS

THE EXPLOSION OF THE CART – Lo Scoppio del Carro. Porta a Prato and Piazza del Duomo.  8:15 – 11:30 am. Free admission.

Be sure to arrive early to find a place in piazza del Duomo to witness Florence’s time-honored Easter tradition, Lo Scoppio del Carro. As a participant of an 11th century Crusade, Florentine Pazzino di Pazzi was the first soldier to scale the walls of Jerusalem and was rewarded with three flint stones from the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. At 8 am in Porta al Prato, a priest rubs Pazzi’s three flints together to light the Easter candle, which is used to light coals placed in a cart. A procession of soldiers, city officials and musicians in Renaissance clothing lead the way, stopping in piazza Repubblica at 9 am for a show of live music and flag-throwing before arriving at the Cathedral at 10 am.

This event is a part of the Easter Mass at the Duomo.  At 11 am the Cardinal lights a “dove-shaped” rocket which symbolizes the Holy Spirit which then travels down a wire to set off a series of fireworks attached to the cart, hence the name, “Explosion of the Cart,” for the cheering crowd in the square.  This is a three-hundred-year-old tradition said to bring a good harvest to Tuscany that can’t be missed.  If the dove misses the target, it is taken as a bad omen. This happened in 1966, the year of the great flood in Florence.

OUTINGS

HISTORICAL PROCESSION AND REENACTMENT OF THE PASSION OF CHRIST (Grassina, Friday, March 30, 8:30 pm; tickets range from €8 to €16).

The streets of Grassina will be transformed into the avenues and alleys of Jerusalem as 500 participants in historic costume represent the Romans: Pontius Pilate, King Herod, centurions and soldiers, and the Jews: Pharisee, priests and inhabitants of Jerusalem.  The anguished Christ, as well as the two thieves who were crucified alongside him, can be seen in the procession as it moves towards a nearby hill crowned with olive trees and oaks, Golgotha. Here at Calvary hill, the reenactment of the birth and scenes from the life of Christ are portrayed, ending with the Crucifixion. The Passion Play’s highlight is reached with the fusion between the parade and the scenes. From this year it is possible to book the ticket, choosing the place for the scenes by visiting www.catgrassina.org.

EASTER MONDAY (Pasquetta), April 2

The following locations welcome visitors: the Uffizi and Accademia, the Bardini and Boboli Gardens, the Cathedral Museum (Museo dell’Opera del Duomo; 9 am – 7 pm), the Galileo Science Museum (9:30 am – 6 pm) and the Gucci Museum (10 am – 7:30 pm).

BOTANICAL TREASURE HUNT. Bardini Garden.

This is a fun and educational activity for youngsters and adults alike. For €7 each (free for age three and under), children can explore playfully recognizing the plants and discovering the history of one of the most beautiful gardens in Florence. All ages are invited to walk around the green space together and take in the beautiful nature scene.  While the little ones are busy searching for clues, parents can learn the secrets of this enchanting place and take part in looking for treasure. The hunt will be held at the following times: 10 – 11:30 am, 12 noon – 1:30 pm, 2:30 – 4 pm, and 4:30 – 6 pm.

Outside Florence

The Pratolino Park is also open on Pasquetta.

Greve in Chianti’s Piazza Matteotti will be filled with a large antiques fair and vintage market, including tables filled with embroidered linens and items for collectors alongside furniture. (elise loveless & molly hamilton)