The "Calcio Storico" (or "Calcio in Costume") in Florence
The matches are held in Piazza Santa Croce, a large rectangular square surrounded by the Florentine apartments and palaces that stand at the back of Palazzo Vecchio and in front of the homonymous basilica built between the 13th and 14th centuries.
As the English historian John Foot says in his book on Italian football, each match involves two teams and six judges. The players can move the ball both with their hands and feet, but they cannot throw it. Points are scored when the ball crosses the line at the end of the field.
Although we still do not know much about the origin of this particular "sport", it is certain that the scions of the most important Florentine families practiced it until the early 18th century. The list of "calcianti" includes Giulio de` Medici, who was to become Pope Clement VII, and other two popes-to-be (Leo XI and Urban VIII) as well as Cosimo de` Medici, the first Grand Duke of Tuscany.
It will a wonderful experience to watch a match between the Bianchi (or White) and the Verdi (or Green), the Rossi (or Red) and the Azzurri (or Blue) teams - which represent the four Florentine historic districts - from the balcony of you holiday apartment in Florence.
Our most requested apartments in the Florence historical centre:
Holiday apartments in pretty villa on the southern outskirts of Florence, in the vicinity of Piazzale Michelangelo. Accommodation for groups of 4/6/8/10/12 people. Air conditioning, Internet connection. Just a few minutes from Florence historical centre.
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Beautiful apartment sleeping 6+2 in Florence historic centre, at a stone`s throw from Santa Maria Novella railway station. Air conditioning, Internet connection and panoramic balcony with view over the Duomo and the Medici Chapels.
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Apartment sleeping 2+1 in the heart of Florence historic centre, in the district of Santa Croce. Panoramic balcony with view over the basilica of Santa Croce, air conditioning, Internet connection, close to the most important Florentine monuments.
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Apartment in the historical centre of Florence a few steps away from the Accademia Gallery. Nearby Piazza Duomo, Piazza Signoria, the Uffizi Gallery . 5+2 beds, Internet Connection and air conditioning.
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