Calcio Storico Fiorentino

Honor and pride in Florence

Calcio Storico Fiorentino is football like no one has ever seen. Also known as football in costume or calcium in livery, is the most important tradition and followed in Florence.

Calcio Storico Fiorentino dates back to the Greeks that they called Sferomachia; It was later adopted by the Romans with the name of Harpastum (snatch by force). The most important match played in Piazza Santa Croce, which still hosts this event dates back to 1530. To the present day in the month of June the tournament involves two semifinals and a final took place on 24 June, the day of the patron saint of Florence, St. John.

The city is divided into four colors, Red White Santa Maria Novella, Santo Spirito, Verdi in Santa Croce, San Giovanni and blue teams representing neighborhoods of the Center. Behind the blood shed by 54 "players" and punches that originate in the fifty minutes of the race, lies a story of tradition, pride and loyalty.

The players must do everything in their power to achieve the goal of football goal on the opposite side of the field. The opportunity to participate in this game is reserved only to those born in Florence and residents here for at least 10 years. For the Florentine take to the streets to play soccer historian is an honor. The victory is marked by symbolic delivery of a palio painted by an artist from Florence and a white Chianina Heifer.