All the Christmas markets in Florence!

The famous Weihnachtsmarkt, the traditional german Christmas market, will be held this year between Decembre 2nd and December 20th in the beautiful square of Piazza Santa Croce: wooden cabins, as in a little traditional german village, full of Christmas decorations, great ideas for presents and Christmas “delicatessen” coming from all over Europe.

On December 8th, in Piazza Santissima Annunziata, you can see the Fierucola dell’Immacolata, dedicated to local artisans and slow food. The same event will be then in Piazza Santo Spirito on December 20th.

In Largo Annigoni, Santa is coming back to town again this year: in the Villaggio di Babbo Natale (Santa’s Village) a park full of fun will be open between December 8th and January 6th! Ice-skating, games, carousels, street food, and a fair trade market are just some of the things you will find in there! Last but not least, the House of Santa Claus where the little kids can meet Santa and write their Christmas letter too!

Book now your room for your stay in Florence during the Christmas period! Christmas is getting closer and the best rates and offers are available on our website!

Notte Bianca: A White Night in Florence

On April 30th Florence will host its 5th edition of the Notte Bianca - the White Night.

Special events, concerts, exhibitions and more will be held all night long, while the main museums will stay open for free.

Here you find all the information you may need for the Notte Bianca:

Official website

Map

All events

Il 30 Aprile, Firenze ospiterà la sua quinta edizione della Notte Bianca.

Eventi, concerti, installazioni e molto altro ancora, tutto aperto per tutta la notte, musei compresi.

Tutte le informazioni sulla Notte Bianca fiorentina:

Sito Ufficiale

Mappa

Tutti gli eventi

Scoppio del Carro

Scoppio del Carro is a very ancient tradition of Florence. The exact translation of its name, Scoppio del Carro, is “Explosion of the Cart”. In fact, every Easter in front of the Duomo, a cart is set to explode in an extraordinary and colorful way, full of fireworks: a long time and beloved tradition for the florentine people.

Goffredo Di Buglione

The present form of Scoppio del Carro was assumed by the end of the 15th century. However, to find its origins, we have to get back in time to the First Crusade: Pazzino de’ Pazzi, a Florentine from an important family, is believed to be the first man to scale the walls of Jerusalem, in 1097. His commander Goffredo di Buglione then gave him a reward for his brave act: three flints from the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. The flints were carried back tu Tuscany and are now kept in the Church of Santi Apostoli, just 30 meters from our Hotel.

Church of Santi Apostoli

After that, it became a tradition to set the “holy fire” from these flints on Easter day, from a cart that was carried throughout the city to be “distributed” to all the people in Florence.

Scoppio del Carro, the "Brindellone"

Today, the event consists in a march of the 30 feet tall antique cart, called by the florentine people “Brindellone” which was used already 500 years ago. The “Brindellone” is carried from Porta al Prato to the Duomo, escorted by soldiers, artists and many other people in 15th century dress. The fire is still struck using the flints from Jerusalem. The cart, loaded with fireworks, is lit by the cardinal of Florence after the Gloria in Excelsis Deo during the Easter Mass, while the bells of Campanile di Giotto ring with joy.

The fireworks of Scoppio del Carro last about 20 minutes, and a good successful fireworks show is very important: it is supposed to guarantee good luck, stable civic life and good business.

"Cuore di Carta" on Florence is You!

Riccardo Zucconi, the owner of Hotel Torre Guelfa, is also the author of the book "Cuore di Carta", a novel set in Florence, which is also a free gift to all our dear guests!
You can click on the article to zoom. Enjoy!
Thanks to Anna Balzani at Florence is You for this article.
Florence is You!
Hotel Website
To buy "Cuore di Carta"

Riccardo Zucconi, il proprietario dell'Hotel Torre Guelfa, è anche l'autore di "Cuore di Carta", un romanzo ambientato a Firenze. Una copia omaggio del libro è offerta a tutti gli ospiti dell'Hotel.
Si può cliccare sull'immagine sottostante per ingrandire l'articolo.
Ringraziamo Anna Balzani di Florence is You per questo articolo!
Florence is You!
Hotel Website
Per comprare "Cuore di Carta"

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

The staff of the Hotel Torre Guelfa wishes you Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Lo staff dell'Hotel Torre Guelfa vi augura un Buon Natale e un Felice Anno Nuovo!


Merry Christmas from all the staff of Hotel Torre Guelfa!

Check the special offers for the Christmas period here! 30% Off, our Christmas gift for you, available now!

Ecco le offerte speciali per il periodo natalizio! Sconto del 30%, il nostro regalo di Natale per voi, disponibile adesso!

Buone Feste!!!

Christmas getting closer...

Christmas is getting closer, and you feel like you're breathing a special atmosphere here at Torre Guelfa!

We want to say hello to everyone staying with us and share some Christmas pictures with all our nice guests who are staying home right now.

There are some great Christmas markets going on in town, and the best one is probably the Santa Croce market, with german and austrian tyipical products.

This is quite interesting, especially for our american friends, because inside the church of Santa Croce there is something which inspired the most famous symbol of New York and the United States: the Statue of Liberty!

As you enter Santa Croce church, you will immediately see this sculpture: The Statue of Liberty of Poetry, made by Pio Fedi to honor the memory of Giovanni Battista Niccolini. Many people think this may have been the true inspiration for the Statue of Liberty, now a symbol of America and freedom, well known in the whole world.

We bet no one would have ever thought to find this into one of the most famous churches of Florence, in Italy!

If you're planning to spend your Christmas holidays in Italy, why not to come to Florence and enjoy the beauty of the town under the Christmas lights?

You can take advantage of our great offers for the low season, including the Best Winter Rates available on our website: check them out onto www.hoteltorreguelfa.com! We will be happy to welcome you to Florence and to give you a delightful stay as our personal Christmas present. : )