The Calcio Storico of Florence dates back to at least 1530, when the Florentines descended into Piazza Santa Croce to play a game of football (soccer), despite being under attack by the troops of the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V. This act of defiance then became an annual tradition until the early 17th century, but this rather violent sport was resurrected in 1930 under Mussolini’s regime (he supported such masculine traditions) and it is once again an annual event played between the 4 quartieri of the city:
❤️ Santa Maria Novella
💙 Santa Croce
🤍 Santo Spirito
💚 San Giovanni
• Semi-final 1: TBD
• Semi-final 2: TBD
Before each match there will be a parade throughout the city as the competitors make their way to Piazza Santa Croce, so expect to see people (and animals!) in historic dress, complete with music and flag displays, plus the chanting and singing of the competing quartieri!
Although I still don’t quite understand the rules of this soccer-rugby-wrestling-boxing match, grand traditions are always a joy to behold! ⚜️💜⚜️
Video, “The most savage sport in the world. Next of Kin: Calcio Storico”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w1PkbsYLXUo
Official ticketing site: https://www.ticketone.it/artist/calcio-storico-fiorentino/
Photo credit: Lorenzo Noccioli. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license.
