Every Easter Sunday in Florence, a 900-year-old tradition takes center stage: Lo Scoppio del Carro, or The Explosion of the Cart. It’s one of the most unique and breathtaking rituals in all of Italy — blending faith, history, and pyrotechnics into a true Florentine spectacle. The event begins inside the stunning Duomo of Florence, where a mechanical dove, known as the Colombina, is lit with the Holy Fire by a cardinal during Easter Mass. This dove is a small rocket-like device that symbolizes the Holy Spirit. Once lit, it zips along a wire from the altar through the cathedral doors and out into the piazza. Its destination? A towering antique cart loaded with fireworks. When the dove hits the cart, an explosive firework show begins, right in front of thousands of spectators. The tradition dates back to the First Crusade and is believed to bring peace, prosperity, and a good harvest to Florence — but only if everything goes smoothly. If the dove makes it all the way back inside the church after the explosion, it’s considered a very lucky sign. This is Easter in Florence: not just a holiday, but a centuries-old performance of faith, fire, and Florentine pride 📹 (the_culture_muse_dimitra) - italia secrets Likes(0) Dislikes(0) Comments(0)