Easter Day , 30 March 1997, starting at 10.00 Am to 12.00 PM at the Internet 
Address: http ://www.dada.it/propart/cupola.htm   
It will be possible seeing the  "Scoppio del Carro" (Cart Burst) ceremony  
in Real Time Live Image which will take place in the Cathedral square of 
Florence. Historic parade , Cart kindling by the  Colombina (iron dove),  
Cart burst, etc

An Historical event: for the first time the whole world population will 
participate to an important Easter Florential ceremony using new Internet 
technology of communication.

By the initiative of  "Proposte Artistiche" (View PointS)  of Florence, 
supported by "Opera di Santa Maria del Fiore" Foundation  which officially 
takes care to the 
Internet communication of the manifestation of 700 years of the "Santa Maria 
del Fiore" Cathedral (http ://www.dada.it/propart/odd.htm).
This initiative is a part of the "Cupola Live" Project which uses new 
technology such as: WebCam, Virtual Reality, Multimedia.
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If you are not interested in recieving any information by
our studios just send as a E-Mail.
Thanks.
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A Little bit of History

To really understand the meaning of the "Cart Burst" we have to go back to 
the Crusade times...

Folks said that in  the year 1099 the famous Florential captain "Pazzino dei 
Pazzi" was brave against the infidels. He was the first knight to climb the 
Jerusalem Great Walls bringing the Christian flag.  
"Goffedo di Buglione" rewarded him with some Saint Sepulchre stones.

"Palazzino dei Pazzi" brought them to Florence. The Bishop used them to 
light the fire every Saint Saturday (the day before Easter). The fire was 
distributed to the faithful people. 

The Pazzi's Family started the ceremony building a monumental Cart called 
"Fire Cart" (Brindellone).
For centuries this ceremony took place maintained by the Pazzi's Family.   

On Easter morning, during S. Mass inside the Cathedral at the "Gloria" time 
the Bishop lights the "Colombina" (iron dove's fires) which  slide on a wire 
from the major altar the Cart (Brindellone) outside the "Santa Maria del 
Fiore" Cathedral.
Dove lights the "Brindellone" fires  then  cames back to the altar.
If  there are no troubles this is considered as a gook luck sight for the crop. 

Now the Cart is not the same built by Pazzi's Family but it has just the 
same aspect and first of all inside the stones took by the Saint Sepulchre.
The Carts during the year stands near "Porta a Prato" (Prato's door) inside 
a strange wooded building without windows but with a door which raises to 
the second floor.
 
Waiting for any news from your part.
Regards