Calcio Storico Fiorentino

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Sports & AdventureFlorence
DatesDates TBA · Usually JuneCheck locally before booking
DurationSummerEstimate from available data
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forCompetition, enduranceWhat separates Calcio Storico from a modern
Language["it"]Currency: EUR
CategorySports & AdventureFestival type
The story

Calcio Storico Fiorentino in Florence

Calcio Storico Fiorentino is Florence's historic full-contact ball game, played by teams from the city's four quarters in Renaissance costume on a sand-covered pitch, combining soccer, rugby, and wrestling under rules first codified by Giovanni de' Bardi in 1580. Matches culminate around the feast of Florence's patron saint, John the Baptist, in late June.

Giovanni de' Bardi, a Florentine nobleman, published the first formal rules for calcio in livrea in 1580, codifying a game that Florence's elite had already been playing for generations and that historians trace back further still to the Roman ball game harpastum.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

What separates Calcio Storico from a modern sport is its deliberate roughness: hand-to-hand combat is permitted within the referees' limits, and the game carries a longstanding reputation for genuine injuries among its 27-a-side teams, a trait organizers have preserved rather than reformed away

02

The mystery stays covered

The pageantry surrounding the match, a Renaissance-costume procession with drums, flag-throwers, and a cannon shot marking play's start, frames the contest within a formal civic ceremony, and the winning team's prize, a live Chianina calf, underscores the game's roots as an aristocratic rather than commercial pastime

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

Codified formally in 1580 by Giovanni de' Bardi but rooted in older ball games including Roman harpastum

Water and renewal

Living ritual

Calcio Storico ties its quarter-based rivalry to Florence's civic calendar around the feast of John the Baptist

The sacred route

Living ritual

preserving deliberate physical roughness as part of its historical identity rather than reforming it into a modern contact sport

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually June

Getting around

For Calcio Storico Fiorentino, plan transport around the exact Florence venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.

What to wear

Light, breathable clothing and sun protection suit an outdoor summer match with limited shade around Piazza Santa Croce. Comfortable seating cushions are worth bringing if seating is on hard...

Safety

Keep valuables light, follow local instructions, and watch how residents use the space before joining in.

Where to stay

For Calcio Storico Fiorentino, stay near the part of Florence you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Tickets/cost

Check official or local sources for ticketed areas, paid stands, and same-year access rules.

Language/currency

["it"] · EUR

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map43.78 N, 11.25 EOpen in Google Maps

Florence, Tuscany, Italy

Nearest airportFLR — Florence Airport, Peretola
TransportFor Calcio Storico Fiorentino, plan transport around the exact Florence venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.
Stay areaFor Calcio Storico Fiorentino, stay near the part of Florence you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Florence via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Florence, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for June.Compare faresFestival gearLight, breathable clothing and sun protection suit an outdoor summer match with limited shade around Piazza Santa Croce. Comfortable seating cushions are worth bringing if seating is on hard stands, since matches and the preceding ceremony run long.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for Italy and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Calcio Storico Fiorentino?

Calcio Storico Fiorentino is listed for June · Summer. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Calcio Storico Fiorentino take place?

The festival is listed in Florence, Italy. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

Summer is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Florence, Tuscany, Italy

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLcalciostorico.online
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually June
Source statusOfficial source linked
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