July 26: Feast of St. Anne & Palazzo Vecchio Tour
One of Florence’s original patron saints, Saint Anne (Sant’Anna), is celebrated this week, on Sunday, July 26. Revered by Florentines as Sant’Anna, she was the mother of the Virgin Mary. She is considered a symbol of protection of the self-governing republic of Florence, having been attributed with the successful ousting of tyrant Gualtieri di Brienne, Duke of Athens on her feast day, July 26, 1343.
Every year on this same summer date, Florence celebrates the Feast of Saint Anne as a day of liberation. This year, in honor of the holiday, Palazzo Vecchio is hosting a series of guided tours dedicated to one of the city’s protectoress. In total there will be four sessions held at 10:30 am, 12 noon, 3 pm, and 4:30 pm. While the tour itself is free, those wishing to attend must book in advance and pay the museum’s basic entrance fee of €12.
The itinerary will begin with a visit to the secret staircase installed by Gualtieri di Brienne along the palace’s mezzanine. The passage houses stunning renaissance works from the Charles Loeser Collection, featuring A Portrait of Laura Battiferri by Bronzino and Rustici’s terracotta reliefs inspired by paintings of Da Vinci. The event will culminate in the Andrea Orcagna room where his detached fresco: La Cacciata del Duca d’Atene (The Expulsion of the Duke of Athens) is housed. Orginally located on the premises of the Stinche prison, where the dictatorial ruler sent political prisoners, his painting depicts Saint Anne atop a throne towering over the city of Florence while Gualtieri di Brienne cowers in fear from the civilians’ revolt.
Other masterpieces guests will see include a 15th century marble relief of Saint Zenobius and Palazzo della Signoria, a Byzantine relief of Saint George and the Dragon, and the ornate 14 century wooden ceiling of the Sala del Marzocco.
Later in the evening there will be the Corteo Storico della Repubblica, a historical reenactment and parade where citizens dress in renaissance era costumes while hoisting banners of the city’s major medieval guilds to commemorate the salvation engineered by Saint Anne. The procession will commence at 8:45 pm at the Palagio di Parte Guelfa and continue through Piazza della Signoria to eventually arrive at the Church of San Carlo dei Lombardi on via Calzaiuoli. Here the festivities will conclude at 9:30 pm with the consignment of a large candle (cero) at Saint Anne’s altar.
The Feast of Saint Anne is a unique Florentine tradition, intrinsic to the city’s history and culture. To learn more about participating in Palazzo Vecchio’s guided tours, please email info@musefirenze.it.
(Francesca Negri)
