A solemn parade inspired by Benozzo Gozzoli’s celebrated fresco in the Chapel of the Magi in Palazzo Medici Riccardi
An official feast day in Italy, the Epiphany remembers the arrival of the Wise Men in Bethlehem to pay homage to the newborn Jesus. The event is celebrated in Florence with an ancient tradition dating back to 1417: a big, long parade in period costumes that evokes the arrival of the three wise men with their gifts – gold, frankincense and myrrh – followed by more than 500 extras, gentlemen with their ladies, knights, farmers, soldiers and religious personages. A small living nativity scene is staged in Piazza del Duomo, while the Company of Drummers and Flag-wavers put on a show along the route and in Piazza della Signoria.
Details on the parade
The Cavalcade of the Wise Men
Address: The parade usually begins at 2pm from Palazzo Pitti
and crosses Ponte Vecchio, Piazza della Signoria
and Piazza del Duomo. Everything ends at about 6pm
