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The big one - Where in Tuscany for Easter?

Posted by (San Diego, California, USA) on

We'll be in Lucca over the long Eater weekend for the first time and I'm considering going into Florence for actual Easter day for the processions and trying to get a look at the "rocket dove" and the Scoppio del Carro exploding cart.

Anyone have experience in either of these places over Easter? I get that the vibe in Lucca is much more to the religious side than the celebratory side, and still seems interesting, but the Florence celebration sounds next level.

Any other local celebrations - Pisa? - accessible without a car that someone has experience with?

Obviously transportation on the highest of holidays is a concern and I assume the regionale may both be on holiday schedule and packed.

Love to hear your thoughts and experiences,
=Tod

Posted by
139 posts

Hi Tod. I was in Florence last Easter. Overall the crowds were not too bad EXCEPT at the Scoppio del Carro and in the vicinity of the basilica. Packed in like sardines, even in the rain. It’s an interesting event but I would advise you arrive very early if you want any type of a view.

Posted by
1775 posts

Thanks @CindyP, I'd like to think that there was some time that Florence was not crowded but even if March might be okay Easter will not be.

=Tod

Posted by
17123 posts

The scoppio del carro has always been crowded like Sardines, even 40 or 50 years ago, it doesn’t matter when Easter Day falls or what the weather is.

The “carro” (or “Brindellone” as we call it in Florence) is stored here throughout the year. If you are interested to see, they pull it out of the “garage” at around 8am then the procession lead by the huge Chianina cows pulling the brindellone finally makes it to the Duomo before 11. At Noon the dove is fired up by the bishop of Florence.

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