Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Notte Bianca

Every year on April 30th, Florence celebrates the night before Labor Day by hosting a city-wide party from 6 pm to 6 am. Notte Bianca, which literally means the white night, is a sleepless night for all of Florence. The businesses, including the bars, restaurants, gelato shops and stores stay open until the early hours of the morning. Even the museums stay open until midnight for those who would like to explore them for free. The piazzas are filled with crowds of people who have gathered to listen to the different themed music in each square.

Luckily for me, last night was Notte Bianca, and I was able to experience on of the best nights in Florence. Walking home from class around 8 pm, the music was already beginning and people were out and about. By the time my roommates and I ventured out on Notte Bianca, the piazzas were so crowded that we could barely walk through them. The music was lively and people of all ages were dancing in the streets and enjoying the atmosphere. We walked from piazza to piazza and made our way to the bridge near the Ponte Vecchio. We sat on the bridge and watched as people released giant white lanterns from the bridges. The filled the night sky and looked like brilliant stars. Then we walked to Pitti Palace where we were shocked to see a wildlife movie being projected onto the side of the famous palace that was once home to the Medici family. We sat and watched until we couldn't stay awake any longer. After a long night, we headed home while the rest of Florence continued to party on.

Crowded streets near Piazza Signoria 

White lanterns being released from all the bridges



Animal World being projected onto the Pitti Palace