April 25th, in addition to being a historically important date for all of Italy, is also an excellent opportunity to celebrate the Italian liberation with a trip out of town. Among events, concerts and parades find out where to go for the April 25th feast!

Here’s why the date of April 25th is so important

April 25 is the date conventionally chosen to commemorate the Liberation of Italy.

The outcome of the partisan struggle and of the Resistance, which began in September 1943, culminated with the popular uprising proclaimed by the National Liberation Committee.

The protagonists of the Resistance were not only the partisans of the armed gangs but also the civilian population that hid weapons and people at risk of their lives.

So, next to the ex-soldiers who did not return the weapons, there were workers and peasants, students and teachers, employees, all united in one big common goal.

A particularly important role was played by women, both as ‘messenger’ runners, and as real companions of weapons, who conquered their first real emancipation, that of the vote, which in fact took place in the first free Italian elections, 2 June 1946.

The feast of April 25th and the Events in Tuscany

The whole of Italy from North to South on 25 April celebrates the day of liberation. Many cities organize events, concerts and parades for the occasion.

Throughout Tuscany there are demonstrations in memory of the day when the country was freed from the Nazi-fascist occupation. Then garlands of flowers on the monuments commemorating all those who died from liberation and historical re-enactments, such as that of the Partisans in the Casentino who climb to the top of the mountain to light bonfires.

Being a national holiday, April 25th is also an excellent opportunity to combine a few days off from work and take advantage of a spring break. Just adding a few days of vacation to enjoy a long weekend to relax and participate in one of the many events organized for this important anniversary.

Among historical commemorations and social events, here are the main events in Tuscany for the feast of 25 April.

April 25th in Florence

Florence, the gold medalist of the Resistance, will remember the anniversary of the National Liberation with celebrations that will begin at 10:00 am in Piazza dell’Unità Italiana, where a laurel wreath will be placed at the war memorial of all wars.

For those who want to combine a pleasant day of events and celebrations with even more mundane moments, we recommend not to miss these two exhibitions that will also be open on April 25th:

• International Craft Show – Fortezza da Basso, Florence
• Market of plants and flowers – Horticultural Garden, Florence

April 25th in Mugello

Every year Mugello also takes part in the celebrations of the liberation of Italy with events and ceremonies in many municipalities.

The traditional Liberation procession takes place in Barberino di Mugello with the meeting in front of the Town Hall and the deposition of the crowns to the memory of the fallen accompanied by the Filarmonica Giuseppe Verdi.

On April 25th in Bivigliano there will be a tribute to the monument created by Italo Tagliaferri and dedicated to the Alpini and the fallen of all the wars. The meeting is organized by a group of Alpini from the Borgo San Lorenzo section, from San Piero a Sieve and from Florence.

The “Sagre” of April 25 in Tuscany

April 25 is a day dedicated to remembrance and commemoration but it is also an excellent opportunity to participate in the celebrations in some beautiful Tuscan locations and take advantage of one of the many local food festivals called “sagre”.

Eating at a food festival in Tuscany is something very typical and popular, which allows you to enjoy excellent local cuisine at very low prices.

Needless to say, the undisputed protagonist of the  is meat.

Cow, pork or game cooked in exquisite recipes handed down from generation to generation.

Here are the “sagre” or food festivals where to go for April 25 in Tuscany:

• Good Season Festival – Panzano in Chianti;
• Marzuolo Truffle and Cinta Senese Festival – Castelfranco di Sotto (PI);
• Chiocchio wild boar festival – Greve in Chianti (FI);
• XVI Fair of Taste – Fucecchio (FI).

Enjoy April 25 in Tuscany

Commemorations, historical re-enactments in beautiful medieval villages, local cuisine and many celebrations. This and much more offers Tuscany to celebrate April 25th.

The feast of 25 April is therefore an excellent opportunity to celebrate liberation and welcome the arrival of spring with a weekend in Tuscany. Don’t miss out, we look forward to seeing you at Villa Campestri Olive Oil Resort!