Calcio Storico
Michelangelo in his darkest hour could not have painted this bloody picture. Calcio Storico has been described as a mix between football, rugby, wrestling and karate ! A brawl in of 54 locals in Piazza Santa Croce. The square filled with sand. Sand in the contenders eyes ! Picture Florence divided in 4. Turned into a blood bath. Conservative Tuscans throwing values aside for a bloody game of football.
When Usually 24th June. It has also been held on Easter Sunday. Unfortunately there won’t be a festival in 2007. This festival dates back to the 14 Century. Where Piazza Santa Croce, Florence, Italy Why To celebrate St. Giovanni of course. 
Who The players are from the four old areas of the town. Those dressed in Blue for St. Croce, Green for St. Giovanni, Red for St. Maria Novella, and White for St. Spirito.All of the players are dressed in medieval breeches, and are supported by their die-hard local fans.
The Matches There is a procession, which begins at 4pm in Piazza Santa Maria Nouvella, which ends up in Piazza Santa Croce. The ground of Piazza Santa Croce is covered in sand. Only 2 teams play at any one time and there are 27 people on each team. The Object Is to score a Ciacci. There are no rules. It is a mix between rugby, soccer, wrestling and bare-knuckle boxing. I believe it inspired the juvenile game “Murder Ball”. If a player has a bad shot on goal (caccie) it is half a caccie against his team. Games can last up to 50 minutes. This is the only rule.
Players use this occasion to stage revenge. 
Revenge for trying someone’s wife, badmouthing someone’s cooking or cutting people off on vespas. Whatever the reason Calcio Storico is the place to vent it.
Voilence can reach dizzying heights on the pitch and in the stands. As smashed noses and broken arms are the norm. It is cancelled for 2007 because it was so violent. Tickets can usually be purchased from a box office.
The winners are awarded with massive steaks equivalent in weight to that of a white calf or bistecca fiorentina, which in old times was butchered for winning team and it’s supporters. Today it is merely symbolic. What to wear Calcio Storico means Calcio dressed up, so dress up. Medieval Style. Renaissance retro is in. What to drink Local Chianti. Where to Eat Florence has amazing restaurants to recommend one would be an injustice to all. Tuscany has the best restaurants and food in the world, you can't go wrong. Where to stay I stayed at the Villa Cameretta Youth Hostel. It has a beautiful view and is very well kept. Recommend it. Florence has many campsites, hotels & hostels and apartments to rent. However the only place in Europe which rivals Florence for tourists is Paris. Florence doesn’t have the capacity to hold the tourists that go there – you need only visit the Florence Duomo to realise this. Getting Around A good way to see the city is by bicycle. There are quite a few shops in Florence for bike hiring. DONT MISS THIS The Grand Finale Dangers/annoyances Over enthusiastic fans at the matches can be a little much and brawls can break out before, after or during any match. Airports The nearest is Florence airport serviced by bus 8 times a day. A taxi will cost you €16. The next nearest airport is Pisa. Internet I used the cyber office on Via San Gallo Bank/ATM There is a good availability here. Weather Always great for this festival 24-27 degrees, long days and plenty of sun. Festival Pig Fact On hearing the final whistle, the players kiss each other before they are swarmed by local ladies!
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