When the sacred meets the profane: June 24th in Florence
On June 24th in Florence it takes place the much-awaited final of the historic florentine Football (click here to read more about this event!).
While waiting for the final clash between the White and the Blue and the parade in historical costumes at 4:00 pm from Piazza Santa Maria Novella, Florence will celebrate San Giovanni (St. John), the patron saint of the city. The figure of St. John the Baptist is connected to Florence since the Lombard domination, between the VI and the VII century, when the figure of the God Mars was replaced with the christian Saint. The same Baptistery in Piazza del Duomo, was built above the ruins of the temple dedicated to the ancient god of war.
On Friday June 24th, the festivities begin in the morning, at 8:30 am, with the parade involving the high charges of the city in addition to the sbandieratori (flag bearers) from Palazzo Vecchio come to offer candles to the patron in the Baptistery, followed by the solemn mass at 10.30 am in Santa Maria del Fiore.
At 2:30 pm, in Salone del Cinquecento in Palazzo Vecchio, will be held the ceremony for the ” Fiorino d’oro della città di Firenze “.
The day will be enlivened by music, stalls and street markets in every corner of the city!
This awaited day will end with the folk festival in Lungarno della Zecca Vecchia at 8:30 pm, and as usual, with the fireworks, or rather with fochi of San Giovanni at 10 pm…a sight not to be missed. This play of light that is reflected on Arno recalls the bonfires lit for the summer solstice celebration as pagan tradition. Until 1826 the fires were lit from Piazza della Signoria and were later moved to the Bridge of the Carraia. Today they are lit at Piazzale Michelangelo, this also offers the opportunity to admire the colorful reflections on the Arno river.
Other events that will take place in the day of the Feast of San Giovanni will be:
– Picnic on the “Easy living” beach with organic menu at 9:00 pm;
– Verdiana Raw live free at Anconella park;
– White party at Blanco beach bar;
– Open-air festival at the summer space Tamburello;
– Holi on tour, the most colorful festival at the Cascine park.
June 24th also marks the reopening of the Museo degli innocenti (click here to read more) and the San Niccolò tower (click here to read more).
In conclusion, the tasty news of 2016 is #gustafochi: Florentine restaurants present in their menus dishes from the late ‘700 with a contemporary twist.
Do not miss the unique opportunity to live this awaited and special Florentine day!
Book now a room in the center of Florence in one of our hotel of Ars Hotels chain.
Grand hotel Adriatico: http://www.hoteladriatico.it/en
Hotel Rivoli: http://www.hotelrivoli.it/en/
For information about availability and for reservations, please contact:
booking@arshotels.it, tel. 055.278686, fax 055 2786880
