Calcio in Costume - 24th June

The event which the inhabitants of Florence really love and get enthusiastic about, is without doubt the traditional historic revival of 'Calcio in Costume' or 'Football in Costume', which takes place every year in the month of June during the celebrations for St John the Baptist, the patron saint of the city.

'Football in Costume' is also a reminder of the time when, during the rule of the powerful Florentine Republic in the 16th century, Florence decided to play the traditional game of football at Carnival time (on 17th February 1530) as a gesture of challenge and derision towards its enemies when under siege by the Imperial troops of Charles V.

Piazza Santa Croce

The match was held in Piazza Santa Croce, and one of the unusual features of this particular game was the group of Florentine musicians, who performed on top of the roof of the Basilica so as to be better seen and heard by the enemy encamped on top of the hill of Giramonte.

All of a sudden the music was interrupted by a cannonade fired by the Imperial artillery, though luckily the shot passed right overhead without causing any damage: it was answered by a great deal of noise from the instruments as well as catcalls from the Florentine musicians. Historians tell us that it was wonderful to see how the entire population, ever intolerant of oppression, flocked towards the square and with true Florentine spirit gave voice to patriotic and loud shouts of 'Marzocco, Marzocco'.

Italian-American Celebrations

The traditional game was not played for a period of about a century and a half until it was revived in 1898 for the Italian-American celebrations in honour of Paolo Toscanelli and Amerigo Vespucci.

This match, together with several others that followed it, made the Florentines so enthusiastic about it that eventually, in 1930, the civic committee, which had been set up for the fourth centenary of the siege and the death of Francesco Ferrucci, decided to perpetuate the ancient custom, taking its inspiration from the historic game played on 17th February 1530.

It was decided that the game was to be based on that particular historic event, with the same costumes, flags, militia, arms, rules, commands and sounds. Every year Florence is thus inflamed by its game of football in costume that seems almost by magic to give the city a 16th-century atmosphere again.

The games have been regularly held inside the ancient city walls ever since (except for a pause during the Second World War), to the enthusiasm of the inhabitants and the team supporters, as well as to the ecstatic admiration of all the tourists who are irresistibly attracted here in June to watch this fascinating game of ancient football.

The Game Itself Originates From Ancient Times

The game itself originates from ancient times; it is actually derived from a ball game first played by the Greeks and then by the Romans. In Greece it was called sferomachia while the Romans called it arpasto; it was played on a pitch covered in sand.

Calcio or, as it was called then, arpasto, was played in Florence by the Roman legionaries of ancient 'Florentina' from the very earliest times. The name changed from arpasto to calcio right here in Florence and, with new and well-defined rules, eventually arrived at the present day, when the British, after considerably changing it, made it popular throughout the world.

As many as 530 people in Renaissance costumes participate in this unforgettable performance, which has four teams of players representing the historic boroughs of Florence.  The winning side receives a white calf as a prize.

To find out more please go to the website of the Community of Florence (this is an Italian language site but contains the most comprehensive information on the festival available.)