Annual Events

Calcio Fiorentino or Calcio in Costume - better known in Florence as Calcio Storico - is a traditional football game dating back to the 15th century. A violent mix of football, soccer, wrestling and perhaps boxing, the tournament is played in medieval costume every year from mid to late June. The final match is always held on June 24th, as a celebration of the city's patron saint, St. John the Baptist (San Giovanni). The event takes place in Florence's Piazza Santa Croce, where the piazza is transformed into a playing field with a thick layer of sand under the players and bleacher-style stands for the spectators:

The exact origins of the game are unclear, but some believe it began as a way to keep military troops in shape while waiting to go to battle. Later, it became more of a competitive sport for young Florentine aristocrats. The first official rules for the Calcio Storico were written by Florentine Count Giovanni de'Bardi di Vernio in 1580. Each game of the Calcio Storico has 54 players divided into two teams of 27 which are lined up in three rows. After that, it seems there are no real guidelines - just the final objective of making a goal. The round ball is tossed around the field while the players do anything in their power to stop their opponents from scoring. Punching, tackling, kicking and clawing are all acceptable tactics to stop the opponent (we also saw biting and sand throwing one year!). A goal is made by throwing the ball over 4 foot high wooden wall that runs the length of the field.

The four teams consist of players from four areas of the city: Santa Croce ("Azzurri" or Blues); Santa Maria Novella ("Rossi" or Reds); Santo Spirito ("Bianchi" or Whites); and San Giovanni ("Verdi" or Greens). Needless to say, passionate loyalties fuel the ruthlessness of the tournament.

Before each game, a long procession of the players, flag throwers, drummers, and other Florentine citizens all dressed in historical costumes starts from Piazza Santa Maria Novella and slowly makes its way to Piazza della Signoria, down Via de'Neri, and then up Via dei Benci until it finally reaches Piazza Santa Croce. The comradery, pageantry, costumes and trumpets are quite impressive and worth watching even if you don't have the stomach (or tickets - which are usually very hard to come by) to watch the actual game.

For a real sense of the atmosphere of the event, we found several well-done videos of the Calcio Storico:

GLADIATORS SPIRIT'S IS STILL ALIVE Calcio storico Fiorentino Take 2 from Brice Ansel on Vimeo.

MODERN GLADIATORS - CALCIO STORICO from David Battistella on Vimeo.

The official website of this event is at: http://www.calciostoricofiorentino.it

This event usually takes place sometime during the second half of March. You can always check their website for the most up to date information: http://www.koreafilmfest.com

Up until 1750 Florence began the civic year not in accordance with the modern solar calendar on January 1st, but on March 25th, marking the start of the year from the religious feast of the Incarnation (which also - surely not by coincidence - is near the first day of spring).

In Florence and in the surrounding lands belonging to Florence the New Year was celebrated with a difference in reckoning of two months and twenty-five days, even when in numerous Italian and foreign states the modern calendar had been operating since 1582! The Florentines did not change the calendar until 1749, when respect of the new temporal calculations was imposed by a decree of the Grand Duke Francesco II of Lorraine dated November 20 of the same year.

There is a plaque in the Loggia dei Lanzi commemorating the event:

Historically on this day in Florence - the "Spring New Year" - a great crowd would set off in pilgrimage to the basilica of Santissima Annunziata, founded by the Servites, to venerate the miraculous fresco of the Annunciation (below) in which the face of the Virgin (according to an ancient legend) was said to have been executed by the hand of angels when the artist fell asleep in front of it. This flocking of the people to the basilica gave rise to the "Fair" which is still set up in the piazza in front
of the church on March 25th every year.

The Mille Miglia or the "thousand miles" has been called the "most beautiful race in the world". Initiated in 1927, the race was canceled for reasons of safety in 1957 and twenty years later was revived as a road rally.

Every May over the course of three days, more than three hundred of the most important vintage racing cars (and some contemporary models) from around the world parade through over 1,000 miles (1,600 km) of Italian roads highlighting countrysides, mountains, ancient villages and city centers including Piazza del Campo in Siena and Piazza Signoria in Florence. Starting in Brescia, Lombardia they travel to Rome and back, winding through the countrysides of the Veneto, Marche and Umbria regions and returning through Tuscany, including Siena and Florence where they pause for a mid-afternoon break. The collection includes pre-1957 models of classic cars from Ferrari, Maserati, Porsche and Alfa Romeo, among others.

The first car passes through Florence in the early afternoon and makes a tour through the center - in 2012 the race is scheduled to cross the Ponte alle Grazie, Lungarno degli Acciaioli and Piazza della Signoria (the exact time and route is subject to change from year to year).

Here are some of our favorite photos from the last couple of years:

The Notte Bianca or "White Night" in Florence takes place on the evening of April 30th every year. The streets flow with people making rounds between food stalls, exhibitions, art installations, museums, dj sets, and live music and dance performances scattered throughout the center of Florence.

Events for kids start as early as 14.00 and street events commence towards 19.00, but the energy of the city escalates after midnight and continues into the early morning. A selection of museums and palazzi have extended hours, and many shops and restaurants stay open until nearly dawn. Basically it is a giant street party, with a relaxed, care free vibe.

Here are some images from the last couple of years: