Easter is a particularly special time in Florence. In addition to religious observances, it unofficially launches spring and the tourist season. If you’re in town for the festivities, here are some ways to observe the holiday or to take advantage of the long weekend.
Holy Week religious services in English
St. James Church (Episcopalian). Via B. Rucellai 9, tel. 055/294417
Maundy Thursday, March 24: Eucharist, foot washing and stripping of the altar, 6.30pm
Good Friday, March 25: Liturgy and veneration of the cross, 12pm and 6.30pm
Holy Saturday, March 26: Easter Vigil, 6.30pm
Easter Sunday, March 27: Eucharist at 9am and 11am
St. Mark’s English Church (Anglican). Via Maggio 16, tel. 055/294764
Maundy Thursday, March 24: Mass 7–8pm; altar watch 8–10pm
Good Friday, March 25: Veneration of the cross, 10am; choral Via Crucis, 7pm
Holy Saturday, March 26: Ante Communion, 10am; Easter Vigil, 8pm
Easter Sunday, March 27: Sung high mass, 10.30am
Santi Apostoli (Catholic). Piazza del Limbo 1, tel. 339/2425734
Wednesday, March 23: Adoration, 6.30pm
Holy Thursday, March 24: Mass of the Lord’s Supper (in a mix of Italian and English), with traditional footwashing of 12 people, 6pm. Congregants may stay in adoration until midnight
Good Friday, March 25: Celebration of the Passion (reading of the passion, adoration of the cross, Communion,) 5pm
Easter Sunday, March 27: Mass, 10.30am
Easter morning tradition
The Scoppio del Carro
March 27, Piazza del Duomo
Sparks fly in Florence every year on Easter morning when the Brindellone, a cart filled with fireworks, is hauled from its resting place in via il Prato to the front of Santa Maria del Fiore. After Easter mass, the pyrotechnics begin when a dove-shaped rocket known as the colombina sets this centuries-old tradition in motion. The ‘explosive’ part of the ritual begins around 11am, but we recommend arriving much earlier to claim your spot.
Special opening hours for Easter Sunday (March 27) and Easter Monday or “Pasquetta” (March 28)
Civic museums
Palazzo Vecchio. 9am–11pm on Easter & Pasquetta
Museo Novecento. 9am–6pm on Easter & Pasquetta
Santa Maria Novella. 1–5pm, Easter; 9am–5.30pm, Pasquetta
Stefano Bardini Museum. Closed on Easter; 11am–5pm, Pasquetta
Brancacci Chapel. Closed on Easter; Pasquetta 1–5pm
Fondazione Salvatore Romano. Closed on Easter; Pasquetta 10am–4pm
Museo Bigallo – 9.30am–12.30pm on Easter & Pasquetta
State museums
Uffizi Gallery. 8.15am–6.50pm on Easter & Pasquetta
Accademia Gallery. 8.15am–6.50pm on Easter & Pasquetta
Boboli Gardens. 8.15am–6.30pm on Easter & Pasquetta
Costume Gallery. 8.15am–6.30pm on Easter & Pasquetta
Silver Museum. 8.15am–6.30pm on Easter & Pasquetta
Palazzo Strozzi‘s newly opened exhibition From Kandinsky to Pollock. The Art of the Guggenheim Collections will be open from 10am–8pm on Easter Sunday & Pasquetta.
