On October 8th, Santa Reparata is celebrated as a saint of the Catholic Church and co-patron saint of Florence. The ancient Cathedral of Florence is dedicated to the worship of this Saint: the tradition says that it was thanks to her miraculous intercession that in 406 AD, the Roman army led by Stilicone and the Florentines defeated the barbarian hordes of the Ostrogoths, led by the king Radagaiso, who had laid siege to the city. In reviving the ancient celebrations the City Council organizes the historic procession of the Florentine Republic, which parades from the Palagio di Parte Guelfa to the cathedral, where an evocative ceremony is held among the remains of the ancient church.
Programme of the celebrations and the historical parade: at 9.15am the historical procession accompanies the municipal authorities to the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, starting from Palagio di Parte Guelfa (through Via Porta Rossa, Piazza del Mercato Nuovo, Via Vacchereccia, Piazza della Signoria); at 9.45am: arrival at the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore and, in the crypt of Santa Reparata, offering of the candle and the wreath in honour of Santa Reparata.
