March 25: it's New Year's Day in Pisa and Florence!

In Pisa and Florence New Year's Eve is celebrated twice a year: on January 1st and on March 25th.

The reason is to be found in the ancient "calendario pisano", a particular type of calendar in use in Pisa and other areas of Tuscany until the mid-18th century, according to which the year began on March 25 (Annunciation of the Virgin Mary), nine months before Christmas (25 December).

The calendar remained in force until November 20, 1749, when it was definitively abolished by Grand Duke Francis I of Lorraine with an edict which established that throughout Tuscany the new year would begin on the following January 1st.

But, obviously, both cities have not given up on traditional celebrations!