Calcio Fiorentino - Florence's Ancient Football Tradition

Florence's Piazza Santa Croce is the historical site of an early form of football (soccer to Americans) developed in the sixteenth century. The name of the game translates to "Florentine kick game", and the first published rules date from 1580, written by Giovanni de Bardi.

Calcio Fiorentino was played using teams of twenty-seven, and feet and hands were both allowable. Goals were scored by throwing the ball over a particular spot on the edge of the field, which was essentially a large sand pit with a goal running the entire width of each end.

Important people in the game include the main referree, the six linesmen, and the field master. Games last fifty minutes, and the winner is the team that has the most points at the end of the period.

Oddly, Calcio Fiorentino was reserved for play only by the city's rich aristocrats. It was played every night during the period between Epiphany and Lent, and in the past, even Popes were known to play it! Eventually, the sport died out, and was not heard of for two hundred years.

However, in the twentieth century, the game was revived, with organized play starting up in 1930. Currently, the Piazza Santa Croce hosts three games per year, played during the month of June (around the third week) between teams designated by their colors (blue, green, white and red) and representing the neighborhoods around the local piazzas.

The game is not as violent as it was in the past - head butts, elbowing, choking and punching are allowed, but kicks to the head and sucker punches are forbidden. Throwing sand in the faces of opponents is a trick that's still permitted, and up to ten players on each side are designated brawlers - players meant to knock out the opposing team members. They mostly ignore the ball and spend time neutralizing one another.

Rugby and soccer players make up most of the skilled players on the team (while boxers and wrestlers are usually chosen for the brawlers) and are used to kick, score goals and carry the ball past members of the opposing team. They also have to avoid the other team's brawlers. It's no surprise that this game is considered one of the roughest in the world, and it used to be rougher!

Reading the description of this game, one could almost be forgiven for thinking you were reading about the game of Quidditch - famous from the Harry Potter books and movies, sans flying on broomsticks! :-)

Before the final game of the year, the players and five hundred citizens in costume parade through the streets. The game begins with the ringing of church bells and the firing of cannons, and play is on for just short of an hour. This is a major spectator occasion, and a great opportunity if you happen to be in Florence on holiday.

Of course, there are plenty of other, tamer things to see while you're in the area of the Piazza Santa Croce, as well. There are beautiful churches and art museums, fascinating shops and more, as well as some of the best Florence apartments available. Take the time to check them all out. Browse our range of Santa Croce apartments now, to find the one that's right for you.