Events
The coronation of the Marzocco
If St. John the Baptist has been the religious symbol par excellence for centuries, one of the most important pagan symbols for Florence is the Marzocco, a lion erected and represented for decades in sculpture, painting and reality as a symbol of popular power. The...
The Palio rowing
In the Florence of Dante Alighieri, in Grand Ducal Florence, in Florence Capital of Italy and in the still provincial Florence of the early twentieth century, how was the feast of the Patron Saint lived and felt? Rereading the old documents in the archive of the...
The Fire of St. John
The "Fochi", the fireworks display with which Florence celebrates its patron saint, has been held since the twelfth century, organized in ancient times by the Art of Calimala. Since 1796 it is the Society of St. John the Baptist Odv to organize for the City of...
Scopri i Fochi del 2025
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The society
History
The Society of St. John the Baptist was established with a “rescript” of January 29, 1796 by Grand Duke Ferdinand III of Tuscany. The young sovereign wanted to connect his figure to the most ancient Florentine tradition and the cult of the Baptist was always present in him in the most heartfelt forms.
Support us
Since 1796 it is the Society of St. John the Baptist Odv to organize for the City of Florence “Fochi” every year more spectacular and increasingly admired by all those who, on the evening of June 24, pour out on the banks of the Arno or crowd the terraces to be flooded with so much auspicious light. Do you want to support the culture and tradition of the city of Florence? You can do this by donating your 5×1000 to San Giovanni.
The Fire of St. John
Since 1796 it is the Society of St. John the Baptist Odv to organize for the City of Florence “Fochi” every year more spectacular and increasingly admired by all those who, on the evening of June 24, pour out on the banks of the Arno or crowd the terraces to be flooded with so much auspicious light.
