Calcio Storico in Florence – 24 June 2011

The Calcio Storico was played by the aristocratic young noble men in front of the Basilica of Santa Croce in celebration of the Feast of St. John. The traditional districts to identify each of the four teams are the  blue team from St. Croce, the red from St. Maria Novella, the white fro St. Spirito and the green from St. Giovanni.

With sand layering the entire square, the players run with the ball in their hands and pass it to their team mates. As they run, the opponent team tries to stop the player and pin them down till they are rescued by their own team players. This often results in their costumes being torn to bits and the players bloodied up but not too severely. Before the match starts, spectators can enjoy a medieval pared with 500 hundred characters medieval medioeval gorgeous costumes.

The game resembles Greco-Roman wrestling simulating the movements and motions with a mixture of rugby and soccer. The color of the balls and the tents vary according to the designated teams who are playing the match.

This month two matches have been palyed and now the final  hit is planned for next 24t of June in Piazza Santa Croce between the blue and the white team.