Festa dell'Annunciazione

March 25 is the Feast of the Annunciation (when the angel Gabriel announces to the Virgin Mary that she's going to give birth to Jesus) and while it's not an important day for Protestants, it's a big deal for Catholic countries.  In fact, for many years it marked the beginning of the new calendar year presumably because of its significance in the life of Jesus.  So it's referred to locally (at least on the tourist info) as "Capodanno" or New Years.  It wasn't until the adoption of the Gregorian calendar, late in England - 1750's - that the day was changed (back, as the Romans had used) to January 1. Of course, with Florence being a Catholic (and tourist) town, this day is a big deal.  Any excuse for a festival!  I went out to see what went on that afternoon.

There was a procession of men and women in Renaissance-type costumes that wound its way from Piazza Repubblica to Piazza della Santissima Annunziata, about 1/4 mile away.  They had:

Flags

Trumpets

Three women, this one with flowers

A dour-looking dude with THE BOOK (I suppose, a Bible) who actually had a very nice smile

And lots of people watching

Despite all the apparent formality it was quite informal.  As they wound through the narrow streets people and acquaintances wandered in and out and chatted with the paraders. 

As they entered the Piazza della S.S Annunziata I got some video that captures the effect pretty well.

The piazza was filled with vendors selling typical festival trinkets.  At least half of the stalls were selling "brigidini", a kind of sweet, licorice-flavored chip that were made on the spot from batter.  The vendor proudly told me they could only be found in Toscano, not in Italy.

brigidini displayed on the wonderful picture created by Luna

When the parade reached the church every one (including the bystanders) filed in and filled an anteroom (cloister) with old frescos on the walls.  Some of the paraders went into the church proper, so I followed, and it was a "Who" concert waiting to happen!  We were all jammed cheek by jowl in the back of the church around a chapel where mass was being celebrated.  The church was quite ornate but dark inside; I didn't get photos since it didnt seem appropriate, but I'm sure you can find some on the net by Googling "Basilica della Santissima Annunziata, Firenze". I didn't stay until the end, but was told that the parade would reassemble and march back to where it started after the mass.