Overview
Historic football, also known as Calcio in costume, due to the players’ 16th-century dress, is one of Florence’s best-known heritage events. This tradition has its origins in the history of early ball games, from the Spheromachia played by the ancient Greeks to the Romans’ Harpastum.
The uninitiated might be under the impression that they are watching a combination of football, rugby and wrestling, although the rules are quite different. The four teams (each consisting of 27 footballers) from the four historical quarters of Florence (the Whites from Santo Spirito, the Blues from Santa Croce, the Reds from Santa Maria Novella and the Greens from San Giovanni) challenge each other on a sandy pitch on Piazza Santa Croce. The players aim to take the ball to the opponents’ end of the pitch and put it in the net to score a “caccia”. The winning team is the one that has scored the most points when the time is up.
The final, which is played on 24 June, the feast day of St John the Baptist, the patron saint of Florence, is preceded by two semi-finals that are also played in June. After the final, the celebrations end at 10 pm with spectacular fireworks from Piazzale Michelangelo.
To find out more info visit the official website
To find out more info visit the official website
