‘Carro Matto’: the Rufina-Florence Wine Ritual

Florence opens its streets to an ancient ritual of wine and harvest each autumn, the Bacco Artigiano. This year it takes place from Thursday 25 until Sunday 28 September, and passes through Florence’s historic centre on the afternoon of Saturday 27 September. For centuries, this festival has symbolised the connection between the Tuscan countryside and the city’s Renaissance heart, when the rural town of Rufina would bring its finest wines to Florence. Today, the tradition continues with the arrival of the Carro Matto, or “crazy cart” – a spectacular wooden wagon stacked with hundreds of handwoven straw flasks of Chianti Rufina wine.

Program for Saturday 27th

At 2:30 pm the Procession of the Florentine Republic departs from Piazzetta di Parte Guelfa on Via Pellicceria, walking through Via Brunelleschi, Via dei Pecori, Piazza San Giovanni, Piazza del Duomo, and Sacrati Strozzi. At 2:50 pm, they will join the Carro Matto procession. 

At 3:15 pm the Blessing of the Wine takes place in Piazza Duomo, Via Calzaiuoli. The procession then stops at the Church of San Carlo dei Lombardi at 3:45 pm, before moving to Piazza della Signoria at 4:15 pm for the offering of wine to the city authorities. 

At 4:30 pm there will be performances by the Musicians of the Historical Procession of the Florentine Republic and the Flag Bearers of the Uffizi, before event ends at 5:30 pm. 

History of the Carro Matto

The cart, an impressive feat of balance and craftsmanship, is pulled through the city by a team of white oxen, flanked by drummers, flag-throwers, and performers in medieval costume. Together they form a living pageant that winds its way through Florence’s historic streets until it arrives at Piazza della Signoria, where the city gathers to welcome the bounty. The clash of drums, the bright colours of the performers’ banners, and the laughter of the crowd turn the square into a vibrant stage, echoing the atmosphere of Renaissance festivals.

The origins of the Carro Matto are deeply rooted in Florence’s history. For centuries, Rufina was one of the small wine-producing towns that supplied the city’s taverns and noble houses. The straw-covered fiaschi were once the universal symbol of Tuscan wine, carefully arranged on wagons to prevent them from shattering on the rough journey down from the hills. Today’s parade keeps that memory alive, celebrating not only the wine itself but also the ingenuity of the people who carried it.

But the Bacco Artigiano is more than spectacle, around the parade visitors can enjoy tastings of Chianti Rufina, food pairings, and cultural events that pay homage to Tuscany’s winemaking traditions. It’s an occasion where the agricultural roots of the region are placed at the centre of civic pride. For Florentines, the festival is a chance to remember that the city, with all its art, palaces, and history, has always depended on the fields and vineyards beyond its walls.  (Molly Evans)

Find out more information at https://baccoartigiano.it/