PISA. It’s the day of Luminara. Pisa begins to celebrate its patron saint San Ranieri. Around 3pm, around 190 specially selected employees will come into action, working alongside the staff of the Municipality and the company in charge to begin, one by one, the lighting of the 100 thousand candles on the Arno rivers between the Cittadella bridge and the Fortezza bridge. until dusk arrives when, thanks to the switching off of public and private artificial lighting, the Lungarni will begin to immerse themselves in the magical evening of San Ranieri.
At 11pm, as per tradition, the fireworks display is scheduled to begin on the Arno River, with a series of spectacular fireworks, lasting approximately 25 minutes, fired from ten floating platforms placed on the Arno between the Fortezza bridge and the Solferino bridge.
Today, therefore, the eve of the patron saint San Ranieri, almost 100 thousand wax candles will illuminate the two kilometers of the Arno rivers of Pisa, enhancing the architectural forms of the historic buildings with the glow of the flames to create a suggestive and unique atmosphere.
It is the Luminara festival which attracts thousands of people to Pisa every year. «Once again – underlines the municipal administration – great attention will be paid to the environment and to the total recovery of the approximately 100 thousand candles. Once dismantled, in fact, the supplier company will recover the unused wax and recycle the PVC parts (cups) and metal parts (windproof caps)”.
The Luminara is part of the Pisan June programme, organized by the Municipality of Pisa, which includes a rich calendar of events which, as per tradition, will have as its culminating moments, in addition to the Luminara, the Palio di San Ranieri (tomorrow, Monday 17th) and the Gioco del Long weekend (Saturday 29 June).
The sponsors of this edition of “Giugno Pisano” are Toscana Energia, Marina Development Corporation, Villa Rondini, Toscana Aeroporti, Acque, Pharmanutra, Chianti Banca, Forti Holding.
Ponte di Mezzo will remain open to pedestrians all evening. Only two side lanes will be reserved, and therefore closed to transit, to avoid pressure on the shoulders and allow the easy intervention of service and healthcare personnel.
«Taking into account the large influx of people – writes the municipal administration – it is recommended, at the end of the fireworks display, to pay maximum attention and wait an adequate amount of time before leaving to avoid situations of excessive crowding, especially on the Ponte di Mezzo».
In the area affected by the event, 24 chemical toilets will be located, five of which are accessible to disabled people. Furthermore, the public toilets in Piazza XX Settembre and Piazza Sant’Omobono will be open until 2.00 am, with increased staffing.
A safety plan has been prepared which involves the involvement of law enforcement operators, firefighters, healthcare workers and civil protection, as well as the use of a task force of 140 stewards who will monitor the entire affected area.
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