Pisa on Wednesday celebrated the traditional New Year ceremony that marked the life of the Tuscan city from the middle ages to the 18th century.
The fiercely independent medieval city state began to use March 25 as the start of its year in 985 AD and was only forced to get in line with the Gregorian calendar in 1749.
According to ancient legends, a year in Pisan life could only start when a ray of sunlight came through a window in the city's cathedral and hit a marble egg at its centre.
The tradition was re-enacted by churchmen and city officials Wednesday when the 'New Year' of 2010 was declared open as the sunlight hit the egg next to Giovanni Pisano's famous medieval pulpit.
''It's a way of remembering our history,'' said Mayor Marco Filippeschi, ''but also a sign of confidence in the future''.
''A way of voicing the hope that these ninth months that separate us from everyone else's New Year will see an upturn in fortunes and allow us to continue believing in the future''.
