“For centuries, Florence did not celebrate the start of the year on January 1st, but on March 25th. This date was chosen because it coincides with the Annunciation to Mary, a moment of immense religious significance for the city.
This tradition, known as the ‘Stile Fiorentino‘ (Florentine Style), lasted for a very long time. Even when the rest of the world adopted the Gregorian Calendar in 1582 (fixing New Year’s Day as January 1st), Florence proudly continued to use its own medieval system.
The final reform only arrived in 1750, when Grand Duke Francis Stephen of Lorraine mandated that all of Tuscany follow the January 1st date. A plaque commemorating this change can still be seen today inside the Loggia dei Lanzi in Piazza della Signoria.
Since the year 2000, Florence has officially resumed celebrating March 25th. Every year, a historical parade marches through the city center from the Palagio di Parte Guelfa to the Basilica of the Santissima Annunziata. In this way, citizens celebrate their ancient New Year, keeping alive the bond with the city’s history and devotion.”
