A Joyous Epiphany in Florence
The Three Kings make their way through the streets of Florence.
An Italian Renaissance Celebration
The Twelve Days of Christmas mark the time between Christmas Day and the beginning of Epiphany, the celebration of the Wise Men visiting the baby Jesus. In Italy and many other European countries the season between Christmas and Epiphany is a time for family and friends. Shops and businesses close or have reduced hours, and families gather for celebrations together. The festivities culminate on Epiphany, January 6.
There's no place I'd rather be for the start of Epiphany than Florence, Italy. The city's twinkly lights are festive and bright. The city center is filled with charming shops and pedestrian streets. But that's not the real attraction.
On Epiphany Firenze (Florence) stages a live creche in front of the Duomo and a parade of Florentines -- including three kings -- in Renaissance costume make their way across the Arno and through Piazza della Signoria to the Duomo to pay their respects to the Christ Child.
The streets of Florence, festooned with Christmas lights
Participants don period costumes and parade through the streets of Florence
A falconer in Florence’s Renaissance-style parade
With falconers and flag throwers, peasants and princesses, the pageant is a marvelous celebration. And because it is the end of tourist season, the celebration is truly for Firenze's faithful -- the men and women and children who live and work in the city, not the tourists.
The shops close, and thousands of people gather to watch the costumed participants.
And once the parade passes, people fall in line behind making their way to the Duomo heralded by the ringing of the church bells.
Enjoy your own Epiphany celebrations, wherever you are.
The live Nativity at the Duomo in Florence