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As part of our Once Upon Italy series, where we share the traditions, flavors, and stories that make Italy unforgettable, we’re taking you to the heart of this Florentine celebration. Because behind every lantern lies more than just light; it carries a tale of farmers, faith, and a city that knows how to celebrate together.
The Festa della Rificolona takes place every September 7th, on the eve of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary. The heart of the celebration is in Piazza della Santissima Annunziata, just a short walk from the famous Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, Florence’s beloved Duomo.
But this beautiful tradition began in a much humbler way. In the 1600s, farmers and villagers from the Tuscan countryside would set out for Florence in the dark of night to attend the September 8th religious feast. They carried simple lanterns on sticks to light their path, arriving at dawn with baskets of vegetables, honey, cheeses, and handmade goods to sell at the city markets.
Over time, the glowing procession of lanterns became more than a necessity; it became a celebration that Florence embraced as its own.
The word “rificolona” comes with a touch of Florentine wit. Originally, it referred to country women who arrived in Florence in bright dresses and wide hats—devout, hardworking, and sometimes gently teased by city folk. Over the years, the term shifted to mean the lantern itself, carrying both reverence and playful charm.
That blend of faith and festivity still shines through today, making the festival both timeless and uniquely Florentine.
If you happen to be in Florence on September 7th, here’s the magic you’ll witness:
Lantern Processions: Children proudly carry glowing lanterns, some simple, others shaped like stars, animals, or miniature houses. The largest parade winds from Piazza Santa Croce to Piazza Santissima Annunziata.
Music and Laughter: The streets echo with songs, chatter, and the joyful cry of “Viva la rificolona!”
Playful Mischief: Children with straws or pea-shooters aim at lanterns, trying to blow out their lights, a centuries-old game of playful sabotage.
A Moment of Faith: At the heart of it all, Florence still gathers for blessings at the Basilica della Santissima Annunziata, honoring the Virgin Mary.
Beyond the glow of lanterns, Festa della Rificolona carries layers of meaning and tradition:
Craftsmanship: Making lanterns is an art, passed down through generations of Florentine families.
Market Roots: The farmers who once carried lanterns also carried Tuscany’s flavors—cheese, honey, oils—that shaped Florentine cuisine.
A Symbol of Light: The lanterns are reminders of guidance, faith, and community.
Generational Joy: Ask a Florentine about their first lantern, and you’ll see how this festival lives in family memory.
To truly enjoy the Festa della Rificolona:
Buy or craft your own lantern and join the parade.
Taste Tuscan specialties at local markets, honoring the festival’s roots.
Embrace the mischief—your lantern may get targeted, and that’s part of the fun.
End the evening at the Basilica, lanterns glowing all around, with Florence at its most enchanting.
Once Upon Italy is our way of keeping these stories alive, not just as history but as inspiration for how we cook, gather, and live today.
The Festa della Rificolona may look like a playful night of lanterns, but it holds something much deeper: the joy of tradition, the beauty of community, and the light of sharing simple things together.
It’s the same light we hope shines through everything we create at DaTerra Cucina, from recipes to the tools you bring into your kitchen.
So when September comes, picture Florence glowing with lanterns. Imagine yourself walking those cobblestone streets, lantern in hand, sharing in the same wonder that’s been celebrated here for centuries.