Lantern Festival in Florence (07/09)

The historical festival of lanterns (Festa della Rificolona) takes place in Florence annually on September 7–8 and is timed to coincide with the Feast of the Nativity of the Mother of God of the Virgin Mary.

The holiday dates back to the 17th century. Then it was customary for residents of surrounding towns and villages to come to Florence for the birthday of the Virgin Mary, who was always highly revered in Italy. People enjoyed celebrating this date in Florence's Place de la Annunciation, dedicated to Our Lady. At the same time, the peasants tried to combine business with pleasure — not only to take part in the celebrations, but also to sell their goods profitably. Therefore, the eve of the birth of the Virgin Mary gradually turned into one of the most important city fairs.

Florence these days was flooded with crowds of peasant women dressed in the best dresses on the occasion of the holiday. City residents, who believed that the villagers dressed excessively lushly, called them « lanterns» — Rificolona.

In memory of those times, today on the night of September 7-8 — after the traditional fair, which takes place on September 6 and 7, — a crowded procession with colorful paper lanterns in which candles burn takes place around the city. The procession, led by the cardinal, begins at the Basilica of Santa Croce and ends at Piazza Santissima Annuziata.

According to another version, the tradition originates from the triumphant entry of the troops of Florence into Siena. This happened in 1555. The victorious warriors entered the captured city, illuminating their way with lamps raised on their peaks.

Be that as it may, the autumn lantern festival in Florence is very popular among tourists. They say that these days the museum city comes to life and shows guests its real face.

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