florence easter

Rome

The weeks around Easter are some of the busiest in Rome as the city comes alive for the most important week of the Catholic Calendar.

The events begin in St Peter’s Square on Palm Sunday with the blessing of the palms and public Mass. On the morning of Maundy Thursday, the Pope presides over morning Mass in the Vatican Basilica. The better known “Mass of the Lord’s Supper” takes place later in the evening when the Pope symbolically washes the feet of 12 priests. The highlight of Good Friday is the Pope’s “Via Crucis” procession from the Colosseum up Monte Palatino. The stations of the cross are described in several languages for the benefit of the many onlookers and a huge cross with burning torches lights up the sky.

But it is Easter Sunday which is perhaps the busiest day when St Peter’s Square is crammed with visitors, awaiting the public Mass in the morning followed by the Pope’s Easter address and blessing. The conclusion of the benediction is announced by the bells of St Peter’s which are immediately answered by the cannons at the Castle of St Angelo.

The day after Easter is known as the “Pasquetta” or Little Easter and it is now that the celebrations truly begin. Many Romans head out of the city with their families to enjoy picnics in the surrounding countryside and towns around the country hold dances, fairs and concerts.

Florence

For over 300 years, Florence has celebrated Easter with the “Scoppio del Carro” or exploding cart. A huge, elaborate cart is pulled through the streets by white oxen, strewn with flowers until it reaches the Basilica di Santa Maria in the historic heart of the city. A steel wire connects the cart to the High Alter within the cathedral and, following Mass, the Archbishop sends a dove-shaped rocket down the wire into the cart, igniting the hidden fireworks. This is then followed by a lively costumed parade.

Siciliy

Easter in Sicilly (or “Sa Pasca Manna”) is the most important festival of the year One of the most impressive processions in Sicily takes place in Castelsardo on Easter Monday. The town’s lights are switched off and the procession,called Lunissanti, winds its way through the town from St Mary’s church, illuminated only by torches. Other Easter processions take place in Castelsardo on Holy Thursday and Good Friday.

Catenanuova holds an annual Easter Festival (30th March to 8th April 2007) with processions, street entertainment and attractions for all the family.

Sardinia

In Cagliari there are processions and ceremonies both in the local churches and in the surrounding streets throughout the Easter week.

In Oliena on Easter Sunday, residents line the streets to celebrate ‘S’Incontru at the moment when two separate processions - one carrying the Virgin Mary and the other a statue of Christ - meet.

Photo of from Photos Easter window display in Florence Photo by Debra Hunter Fireworks on Sunday in Florence. Explosion of the Cart in Florence Picture - Photos Results from the People directory for Chels Easter - Florence Eastwood. Search Facebook for more People with names like Chels - Eastwood.