Events in Florence and surroundings: detail

From June 24 2008 To June 24 2008

Historical tradition: Calcio Storico – Piazza Santa Croce, Florence

In ancient Florentia the Romans played this game as a way of getting their legionnaires into shape.
The most memorable and famous game of ‘Calcio in Livrea’ (‘Football in livery’) took place on 17 February 1530 in Piazza Santa Croce, between the ‘Whites’ and the ‘Greens’, while the city was under siege by Imperial troops.
Originally, the players were fine-looking ‘gentlemen’ of good
reputation who dressed in magnificent garb.
The games took place during Carnival and important commemorative events.
Many members of the Medici family and various Grand Dukes of Tuscany
played at one time or another.
Historic Football, otherwise known as Football in Costume, was played in the city’s most important piazzas until the 18th century.
The tradition then lapsed until May 1930 (the fourth centenary of the siege of Florence).
Three games are now played each year: two semi-finals and a final, which takes place on 24 June, the Feast of Saint John the Baptist, patron saint of Florence.
The matches, which are held in Piazza Santa Croce, are preceded by a historic procession through the city centre streets by over 500 participants in the typical dress of the 16th century.
The competition is between the four historic quarters of the city: San Giovanni (‘Greens’), Santa Maria Novella (‘Reds’), Santa Croce (‘Blues’) and Santo Spirito (‘Whites’).
In calcio storico the equivalent of a goal is a caccia.
The winning team is awarded a calf.

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