We were in Florence last June. There were bleachers and a sandy floor set-up right in front of Santa Croce Church. To "announce" the beginning of the tournament, men dressed in uniforms walked around the neighborhood with drums and flags. There was some flag tossing. Our hotel clerk said that a sport played only in Florence was starting that night. He described it as being like rugby. Does anyone know the name of this sport? Thanks.
Posted by
Corvallis OR
7180 posts
Calcio Fiorentino
Posted by
53 posts
My wife and I were in Florence on "All Saints Day" in June of 2012. The game you're talking about is to honor these saints, I think, or maybe to honor Mary, the Holy Mother (however I think this one is the Palio in Siena which is the craziest wildest horse race I've ever seen). Anyway I can't remember the name of this game either but it should be called "Midievel MMA" - it is absolutely brutal. We couldn't get tix but watched it on closed circuit at an enoteca. The whole town goes nuts for this championship game of the seven Catholic districts of Florence. Parades in day and a huge fireworks display over the Arno river from Michaelangelo Piazza that night - the match is played in the afternoon. In addition to this Italy was playing England in the quarter finals of the Euro Cup which Italy won. No one went to bed until after 4am! Two days later they beat Germany to advance to the championship game (which they lost to Spain) - no one went to bed that night.
Our BnB guy explained the game this way - there's one giant ball and a couple soccer sized balls and you win the match, I think, when the Giant ball is pushed to the opponents wall. The referees are only there to resuscitate the players and/or carry them off on stretchers. One rule is "if any player raises his fists to striking position any player from either team or every player from either team can beat the holy hell out of him" - this was our third day in Italy having never been south of Switzerland before - talk about a cultural awakening!
Posted by
OP
Central Florida
484 posts
I think you are correct. Our hotel clerk said it was like boxing and rugby and soccer put together. Probably not a good event for families with young children.