Tutti i mercatini di Natale a Firenze!

Anche quest’anno torna l’amatissimo Weihnachtsmarkt, il mercatino di Natale tedesco in Piazza Santa Croce (dal 2 al 20 Dicembre 2015): il mercatino riprende la tradizione dei classici mercatini natalizi tedeschi, nella bellissima cornice di Piazza Santa Croce. Un fiume di chalet in legno e decorazioni in un tipico villaggio natalizio! Decorazioni natalizie, idee regalo, specialità natalizie con espositori provenienti da ogni parte d’Italia e da tutta Europa.

L’8 Dicembre, per la Festa dell’Immacolata, torna l’appuntamento della tradizionale Fierucola dell’Immacolata in Piazza Santissima Annunziata, dedicata ai prodotti dell’agricoltura biologica su piccola scala e dell’artigianato manuale. L’appuntamento proseguirà poi con la Fierucolina di Natale in Piazza Santo Spirito il giorno 20 Dicembre 2015.

In Largo Annigoni invece, anche quest’anno torna il Villaggio di Babbo Natale (8 Dicembre – 6 Gennaio), un incantevole spazio per grandi e piccoli dedicato a pattinaggio sul ghiaccio, street food, giochi, giostre e il tradizionale mercatino equo solidale. Da non perdere per i più piccoli l’incontro con Babbo Natale in persona nella sua casetta, dove i bambini potranno scrivere direttamente con lui la letterina!

Prenota ora il tuo soggiorno a Firenze durante il periodo natalizio! Sul nostro sito internet trovi tutte le migliori offerte a tua disposizione!

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.

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. : )