Palio dei Somari di Torrita di Siena
Siena
March 20th
Siena is world famous for its yearly Palio, between the contrade — or districts — of the city. In this famous event, a rider from each contrade mounts a horse to compete for a statue of the Virgin Mary. However, Torrita di Siena’s event is much less competitive, mostly by choice of stede. For every year, the town takes to the streets for their own race by donkey’s back. While it doesn't make for photo finishes, it does make for an entertaining time. Expect all the pageantry of Siena’s more popular palio's without any of the stakes.
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Marzuolo Truffle Festival
Certaldo
18/19/20 of March
The town of Certaldo - in the Florence countryside offers a special opportunity to taste the local Marzuolo truffles (harvested in March) in different dishes. You can taste pasta and meat, and other special typical local products. Schedule: Friday and Saturday dinner from 8 p.m. - Sunday lunch from 12 a.m. and dinner from 8 p.m.
Lo Scoppio del Carro
Florence
March 27th
Each year Florence celebrates Easter Sunday in a very special way. The Explosion of the Cart is a tradition born about 350 years ago. The decorated cart, also called the "Brindellone", was released the first time in 1622. A form of high 2-3-storey tower, is pulled by two oxen adorned with garlands around the streets of Florence, to Piazza del Duomo in the space that lies between the baptistery and the cathedral. This tradition has its roots in the nature of events partly historical and partly religious. The story tells of a young Florentine named Pazzino, a member of the noble Pazzi family, who in the First Crusade in the Holy War of 1099, proved to have great courage (was the first to scale the wall of Jerusalem, and to raise the Christian banner) much to receive the gift 3 flints from the Holy Sepulchre. The stones Pazzino brought with it the end of the crusade, represents a very important religious treasure for Florence, they are kept in the Church of SS. Apostles.
MAEC The Etruscan Academy Museum of the City of Cortona
Cortona
March 19th
MAEC’s history stretches back to 1727 when the Accademia Etrusca (Etruscan Academy) was founded; the academy’s statutory goals included the dissemination of historical and artistic culture through key-tools such as the Library and the Museum both of which were public right from the earliest stages; over the past three centuries the Museum has undergone extraordinary development all the way to its final re-arrangement in 2008 The museum currently consists of two main sections respectively devoted to the Accademia Etrusca and the Etruscan and Roman city of Cortona.
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