The Epiphany is a Catholic holiday marking the symbolic day of the three kings or wise men. According to Christian tradition, after traveling from faraway lands following the star of Bethlehem, the kings left their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh for the newborn Christ Child. In cities like Florence there are re-enactments of the event in the city streets entailing horses with costumed king figures, in which the ruling Medici family once participated. The Epifania marks the end of the Christmas holiday season in Italy which started on December 8; school resumes after this date. Typically Italian schools break for Christmas holidays from December 23 to the first weekday after January 6.
