The historical Procession of the Florentine Republic and the Flag wavers
Let's take a closer look at the two groups (the Historical Procession of the Florentine Republic and the Bandierai degli Uffizi) that are theprotagonists of the Florentine historical pageants.
Historical Procession of the Florentine Republic
Represents one of the most iconic historical re-enactments in the city of Florence. Created to celebrate the city's ancient institutions, this impressive procession winds its way on numerous occasions through the streets of Florence's historic centre, re-enacting the military and civil organisation of Renaissance Florence.
The procession is made up of more than 500 characters in historical costumes that re-enact the arts, corporations, magistracies, gonfalons and city militias of the period when Florence defended itself against the imperial army of Charles V besieging the city (1530).
The uniforms, made with strict historical fidelity, testify to the civic pride and refined culture of 15th- and 16th-century Florence. The drummers, clarions and captains of the ancient militia mark the times of the parade, bringing back memories of the solemn republican ceremonies. The Historical Parade in its entirety is the protagonist in the re-enactment and ceremonial part of the Calcio Storico Fiorentino (Historical football) matches, applying ceremonials, feats and movements linked to the historical event and Florence's most important tradition. More than 20 historical groups precede the football teams that will compete in Piazza di Santa Croce to re-enact the now famous match of the city's pride, that of 17 February 1530, performing a "Universal Review" inside the game arena reconstructed for the occasion, including the evocative "Saluto alla Voce", military commands inspired by the 16th century and the reading of the "Grida" by the Herald of the Signoria, dedicated to the Magnifico Messere designated for the occasion.
The Bandierai (flag wavers) of the Uffizi
They are the official flag wavers of the city of Florence. Their art is much more than a show: it is a form of military re-enactment rooted in the communication techniques of the past. In the centuries of the Italian republics, the gesture of throwing and twirling the flag was an integral part of military life: it served to convey signals between departments, to express loyalty, to coordinate manoeuvres.
Today, the Bandierai degli Uffizi reinterpret this tradition with skill and rigour. Their exercises are based on patterns linked to the collective spectacle, and every throw, passage or crossing is designed to evoke the spirit of the city's militia. The choreographies - accompanied by drums and clarions - are characterised by great precision and spectacularity, often culminating in impressive acrobatic throws in which the flags seem to dance in the air before being deftly taken up again.
The Bandierai degli Uffizi not only celebrate the history of Florence: they guard its soul. Their role in the procession is central, not only for the spectacularity of the display, but for the deep connection with the historical identity of the city and its republican past. The Gonfalonieri of the Magistrature bear the insignia of the main offices of the 16th century that governed the city in the strategic areas of public administration of the time.
Mauro Sani
Die Orte
Etappen
Piazza della Signoria
The square came into being along with the Palazzo Vecchio between the thirteenth and fourteenth century, establishing itself from the first as an area dedicated to the civic life of the city. Inside the Palace, seat of the Municipality of Florence you can also visit the Archaeological area (remains of the Roman Theatre) and climb the Tower (amazing panorama). In the course of the fourteenth century it took one more or less its present dimensions, as a result of the demolition of numerous private buildings and of two churches, and of the construction of the Loggia della Signoria on the west side and the Tribunale della Mercanzia (Commercial Court, nowadays Gucci Garden) on the north-east. Later developments were mostly connected with the sculptural decorations culminating, during the epoch of the Grand Duke, in the transformation of the Loggia della Signoria into a kind of open-air museum. The construction of the Uffizi (the most visited pianting gallery in Italy) connected with Palazzo Vecchio, in the mid sixteenth-century created a further prospect towards the river. The square was not immune from the nineteenth century renewal of the old city centre, within the course of which various Neo-Renaissance style buildings were introduced.
Piazza della Signoria has always represented the political centre of Florence becoming, over the years, the key place for many events that have strongly affected the history of the City and the entire world. In front of the XVI century Fountain of Neptune , one of the most beatiful fountains of Florence, there is a plaque on the ground marking the exact point where Fra Girolamo Savonarola and his fellow monks were burned on May 23rd 1498. This tragic episode is being commemorated every year with the traditional ceremony of the Fiorita.
In addition to the famous sculptures preserved inside the Loggia dei Lanzi (primarily Benvenuto Cellini's Perseus and Giambologna's Rape of the Sabine Women), among those in front of Palazzo Vecchio we highlight: Michelangelo's David (copy, original in the Galleria dell' Accademia), the Marzocco and Judith and Holofernes by Donatello (copies, originals respectively in the Bargello and inside Palazzo Vecchio). The square is dominated by the equestrian monument of Cosimo I de' Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany, a work by Giambologna.
