Feast of San Giuseppe

St. Joseph’s Day is commemorated in Florence, and all over Italy, with food, street processions, and oddly enough, donkey races.

St. Joseph’s (San Giuseppes) Day is commemorated in Florence and across Italy on the 19th March each year, with food, street processions, and oddly enough, donkey races. Amongst the traditions of the festival are the making and eating of Zeppola, the deep-fried nest-shaped choux, filled with pastry cream; these are often given as a gift to fathers as part of the celebrations. Aside from eating naughty pastries, there are bonfires and tournaments, and as this is also father’s day in Italy children may give other gifts to their dads. Although this day is no longer a national holiday, the celebrations are still alive and well.

Location map

Map showing the location of Feast of San Giuseppe

Getting here by train

The main train station Firenze Santa Maria Novella (abbreviated as Firenze SMN) is located directly in the city centre, and is the main onward transport hub for buses and the tram. Increasing numbers of national and international trains also now stop at Firenze Campo di Marte station, which is centrally located, just outside the main ring road around the historic centre.