Calcio, or football, is Italy’s National SPORT.
What is played in the month of June in Florence Piazza Santa Croce is considered the ancestor of the today most popular game, with which it has many differences being more physical and violent. One might say that it is closer to the current rugby rather than modern football.
Probably of Roman origin, invented by the Roman legionnaires to train between one battle and the other so to keep active legs and arms. This game became popular in 1400 (there is no evidence in the medieval period) when it was played by nobles and common people especially during Carnival.
This game entered in the history of the city February 17, 1530. Charles V had just conquered Rome (Sack of Rome), demonstrating to everybody that the world had a new ruler. He wanted to regain control over Florence also because he wanted to please the Pope Clement VII (Medici), whose family had just been expelled from the city.
The city was under Charles V siege since the summer of 1529 and in February 1530 during Carnival, to demonstrate that the Florentines did not fear anyone and that they were still strong, a football game is held in Piazza Santa Croce. Musicians are displayed on the roofs of the houses around the square to highlight the great feast.
Charles V will then conquer Florence, but the tradition of the game continues until 1739 when the last match is played in the presence of the new Dukes of Florence: Francis Stephen of Lorraine and Maria Theresa of Austria.
In 1930, during Fascism, the game is resumed and since then played every year (with few interruptions only). Three games are played (two semi-finals and one final matches) between teams representing the four main districts of Florence: the Whites of Santo Spirito, the Reds of Santa Maria Novella, the Greens of San Giovanni and the Blues of Santa Croce.
The event, still felt among the Florentines, ends with the final match on June 24th on the Feast of St. John the Baptist, patron saint of Florence.
The game is preceded by the historical procession of the Florentine Republic, with flag-wavers. Every game lasts about an hour and is characterized by a hard struggle with many blows, attacks, strokes and tangling of bodies dressed in fifteenth-century costumes.
A real Florentine experience, don’t miss it!