Although the traditional procession on September 13, 2020, the eve of the feast of the Holy Cross – or Santa Croce – was cancelled due to COVID-19 precautions, the evening was still a success thanks to the innovative illumination of the route that the procession would have taken from the church of San Frediano to San Michele along via Fillungo, and from Piazza Napoleone (Grande) to the Cathedral of San Martino.
For the first time LED votive candles were used to frame architectural details of the buildings along the parade route rather than traditional wax candles. The LED votives cast a pinkish, flickering glow to the windows, arches and doorways of the buildings along the way which was very beautiful and evocative — with the added advantage that the LED votives can stay lit through wind and rain — a great innovation.
