The Florentine Historical Football

The beautiful city of Florence has been the birthplace of many famous people of our culture and also of many traditions. One of the most enjoyable traditions concerns a sport, which still takes place today (every year in June) and is the "Calcio Storico Fiorentino". This is an ancient game, also known as "Calcio in Livrea" or "Calcio in Costume" precisely because of the 16th-century clothes in which the athletes compete; its roots can be traced back to the 15th century and it combines current sports such as soccer and rugby. The start date of the festival varies each year, but the date on which it concludes and the finals are held is always set for June 24, the day on which St. John the Baptist, the city's patron saint, is celebrated. There are four teams competing and they represent the respective historic districts of Florence. The event is also enlivened by a marvelous procession of about 500 figures - dressed in 16th-century costumes - that crosses the historic center from Piazza Santa Maria Novella to Piazza Santa Croce, where the field is set up for the matches. The game consists of three matches - two semifinals and one final - and then decrees (on the last day) the winning team, which is awarded the coveted prize, a Chianina heifer. The festival ends with a fireworks display from Piazzale Michelangelo, in honor of St. John the Baptist.