Incomparable Easter Festivity in Italy

Usually, when we speak of Easter, we have fun in those moments of egg hunting and souvenirs of bunnies and rabbits. But have you ever thought about celebrating the classic Easter with noise and cacophonous explosives? Well, given that Easter is the conclusion of Holy Week, which is supposedly a solemn celebration, some may think that the festivities are somewhat not that suitable. On the other hand, Italy celebrates Easter as if it was the New Year -- full of enjoyment and activities.

For more than 300 years now, Italy, particularly Florence, conducts the annual Easter day with the practice called Scoppio del Carro, which is an explosion of a big cart. In this practice, the zealous Italian people use an old but elaborate 1679 wagon, which stands two to three stories high, and drag it through Florence, while a large number of oxen decorated with garlands parade before them. This kaleidoscopic pageantry stops when it reaches the celebrated Basilica di S. Maria del Fiore, where a mass is held afterwards.

But, the real festivity begins after the Mass, when the Archbishop fires a rocket that travels down through the wires connected to the wagon; when the spark reaches the wagon, radiant fireworks are set off. Such blow-up is necessary for the fervent followers of this practice because for them, a good harvest is ensured for the year. The festivity, then, ends in a parade of zealous people who are wearing popular medieval costumes.