Bibbiena

Historic cloth town that's home of the Carnival - some of the most famous and fascinating celebrations in Italy. It begins on the first Sunday of the Carnival with a costume parade of ladies, knights and jugglers, divided into two factions: the “Fondaccini”, those belonging to the low-rent district, and the “Piazzolini”, who lived in the palaces in the upper, wealthier part of the town. On Shrove Tuesday, at 5pm, the residents light the Bonfire of the Bello Pomo, the juniper tree symbolising peace and good luck.