San Lorenzo celebrations in Florence

The Festa di San Lorenzo, Florence's co-patron saint, is a beloved holiday among Florentines. It's the height of summer and people go out in the evening to watch the shooting stars, but not before filling their stomachs with the delicious food offered to the citizens in Piazza San Lorenzo!

The holiday is linked to the figure of the deacon Lorenzo, who was burned alive on a grill in 258 AD.
Following an edict issued by the Roman Emperor Valerian, according to which all bishops, priests, and deacons were to be put to death, Lorenzo was burned on a grill.
Legend has it that during this torture, the saint turned to his tormentors and shouted, "Turn me over, I'm already cooked on this side!"
A little curiosity: in medieval Florence, it was customary to celebrate San Lorenzo by grilling ox flanks and then distributing them to the people. According to some, this tradition gave rise to the famous Florentine steak.
Apparently, some English merchants passing through Florence during these celebrations asked for the succulent slices of beef, exclaiming "Beef steak!", an expression later translated into Florentine as "bistecca".

The celebrations of San Lorenzo fall on August 10th, the day also marked by the Perseid phenomenon, a shower of shooting stars known as the "tears of San Lorenzo." However, in recent years, this phenomenon has been moved a few days later, to around August 12th-13th.

This year, too, the program is packed with events:
10:15 AM - Historical Parade
The parade begins in Piazza della Signoria and ends in Piazza di San Lorenzo, where the religious celebration will take place. Participants include members of the Calcio Storico Fiorentino and the Famiglia del Gonfalone della Città di Firenze.

11:00 AM - Solemn Holy Mass
The celebration of Holy Mass with the offering of candles to the city's patron saint takes place in the Basilica of San Lorenzo. Civil and religious authorities participate.

9:00 PM - People's Dinner in Piazza San Lorenzo
The dinner will include free pasta with meat sauce, watermelon donated by the Central Market, yogurt, and kefir.
There will also be live music and entertainment.

Extra
From 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM - Special Opening of Palazzo Medici Riccardi
Residents will also enjoy free admission to Palazzo Medici Riccardi, the first Medici palace, with access to the current exhibitions.

An opportunity to experience the city while socializing with its residents.