The origin of this traditional ceremony dates back to the time of the Crusades.

It is said that in 1099 the famous Florentine captain Pazzino dei Pazzi fought valiantly against the infidels, was the first to climb the walls of Jerusalem, and raised the Christian banner there. For these deeds, Godfrey of Bouillon rewarded him with some stones from the Holy Sepulchre. Pazzino dei Pazzi brought them to Florence, and they were used by the Bishop on Holy Saturday: by striking a spark against them, he lit a fire that was distributed to all the citizens. This is where the Pazzi family laid the foundations for today's ceremony, building a monumental "Carro di Fuoco" called "Brindellone," similar to the city chariot; for centuries, the descendants of the family maintained this tradition, which was revived in recent times. On Easter morning, the cart is drawn by white oxen from the square of Porta al Prato to the cathedral. Then a wire is stretched connecting the cart to the high altar of the cathedral. Along this wire, a small dove carrying an olive branch in its beak is installed. This dove must glide along the wire to the cart with a lit fuse to ignite
the fireworks contained on it. Indeed, during the Holy Mass, at the moment of the "Glory," the Archbishop ignites the rockets of the "Colombina," which travels along a wire, running through the entire central nave; here it sets off the firecrackers placed on the "Carro," and then follows the reverse path back to the high altar.