One of the most unique and typical traditions in San Giovanni Valdarno is the celebration of the Uffizi di Carnevale, which take place during the five Sundays preceding Mardi Gras, the last day of Carnival. The term "offices" in this context has an ecclesiastical meaning, referring to the act of officiating, reciting the office or celebrating religious services, often in suffrage for the deceased. These offerings included wax, money or other gifts necessary for the oratory of Santa Maria delle Grazie, where the celebrations were held.
It was in this church that, starting from the second half of the seventeenth century, the seven companies of suffrage created to remember their loved ones and not only. In this period, the occasion to meet also assumed a value of celebration and conviviality. Since their inception and until today, the Uffizi continue to take place in the premises of the current basilica, although with some variations in the number of companies according to different eras. The tradition includes rich lunches based on typical local recipes and the Sangiovannese Stufato, anticipated by the parade of the carroccio with pagetti in costume, a reminder of the historical procession through which the offerings were delivered.
The five Sundays are dedicated to specific offices: it starts with that of Saint Anthony, followed by that of Saint Lucia, Industry, Vicariate and finally Women or Providence. This sequence represents not only a religious moment but also an occasion of aggregation and collective memory that enriches the cultural and spiritual heritage of the Sangiovannese community.
It was in this church that, starting from the second half of the seventeenth century, the seven companies of suffrage created to remember their loved ones and not only. In this period, the occasion to meet also assumed a value of celebration and conviviality. Since their inception and until today, the Uffizi continue to take place in the premises of the current basilica, although with some variations in the number of companies according to different eras. The tradition includes rich lunches based on typical local recipes and the Sangiovannese Stufato, anticipated by the parade of the carroccio with pagetti in costume, a reminder of the historical procession through which the offerings were delivered.
The five Sundays are dedicated to specific offices: it starts with that of Saint Anthony, followed by that of Saint Lucia, Industry, Vicariate and finally Women or Providence. This sequence represents not only a religious moment but also an occasion of aggregation and collective memory that enriches the cultural and spiritual heritage of the Sangiovannese community.
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