In 1875 the shards were brought to the Church of Santi Apostoli, where they are still kept. Since the shards were brought to Florence, these stones have been used to light a fire, which was then consecrated and distributed to families. In particular, an important procession took place, featuring a cart with a tripod and some coals on it: the procession was organised by the Pazzi family, and during the pontificate of Leo X, at the beginning of the 16th century, the fire began to be lighted with a dove-shaped rocket. This ceremony was very important for all Florentines, in particular for peasants, who believed that a good or a bad harvest depended on the good or the bad outcome of the lighting ceremony. In the beginning the cart that was used to carry the fire needed to be replaced or restored every year, because of the damages caused by the flames: for this reason the Pazzi family decided to build a solider cart, which did not need to be continuously restored. The new, massive, three-storey cart is still used during the ceremony of the explosion of the cart.

The tradition of the explosion of the cart is still in use, although it is a bit different from the past: first of all it is much more spectacular, due also to the fact that the tripod with coals has been replaced by fireworks, which make the explosion much more fascinating. Nowadays the ceremony, which always takes place at Easter (this year celebrations will be held on the 12th of April), begins at 10 a.m.: in the church of Santi Apostoli the priest lights the fire using the shards of the holy sepulchre, and with this fire he makes coals glow. From the church the coals are brought to the cathedral: a historical parade, which is always appreciated by the tourists who are spending a holiday in Florence, takes place. The procession features a number of people, representatives of the clergy and authorities, the flag of the Pazzi family and the gonfalon of Florence.

At the same time the cart, which is called Brindellone, is drawn by two oxen from Piazzale di Porta Prato to Piazza del Duomo, and also in this case a parade featuring around 150 musicians, flag-flyers and people wearing historical clothes takes place. When the parade gets to Piazza del Duomo the oxen are unharnessed from the cart, while an iron wire connects the cart with the interior of the cathedral. At 11:00 a.m. the ministrant, using the fire produced with the shards of the holy sepulchre, lights the fuse of the dove, which travels out of the Duomo along the wire and hits the cart, where some squibs have been positioned, causing the explosion: for 20 minutes believers and tourists can enjoy a spectacular pyrotechnical show, which is a symbol for the distribution of the holy fire to people. The dove also has to come back to the cathedral, and if the ceremony takes place without a hitch, for Florentines this is a good sign.

If you want to take part in an ancient and spectacular ceremony, book now a cheap hostel in Florence and enjoy the explosion of the cart.

Date: 12th April 2009

Location: Piazza del Duomo, Florence, Italy