Florentine Football: The Gladiator Sport that Still Exists in Italy
Calcio storico fiorentino (historical Florentine football) is an early form of football that originated in 16th-century Italy. It takes a more gladiator-minded feel when it comes to traditional football and rugby. Once widely played, the sport is thought to have started in the Piazza Santa Croce in Florence and the rules have not changed since 16th century when it was started.
The goal of the game is to get the ball across the field into the opposing team’s goal. But the catch is anything goes. Meaning, punching, kicking, choking, etc. Defenders and players on the offensive square off with each other, throwing punches and kicks in order to pin their opponent to the ground. Once pinned, they stay down until the ball is either scored or lost to the other team.
Imagine a sport that combines rugby, football, and kickboxing… Players claim they standoff to establish dominance, fight for their family history, and win in honor of their neighborhood.
The Modern-Day Gladiators of Calcio Storico
ShareFLORENCE, ITALY - JUNE 30: Calcianti (Players) of the La Santa Croce Azzurri (Blue) Team and Santo Spirito Bianchi (White) Team fight during the final match at the La Santa Croce square on June 30, 2013 in Florence, Italy. Calcio Storico Fiorentino is an early form of football, originating in the 1500ís, which is still played today in Florence, Italy. The official rules of calcio were written for the first time in 1580 by Giovanni de Bardi, a count from Florence. Originally the calcio (which is also the name for modern day football/soccer in Italy) was played for rich aristocrats, and even popes were known to play. Now, the tournament is held the third week of June at the Santa Croce square in the centre of Florence. Four teams representing the neighbourhoods of Florence face each other in the first semi-finals. The winners go to the final, played every year on June 24, the day of the patron saint of Florence, San Giovanni (however the 2013 final was postponed until June 30, due to heavy rain). The winner is honoured with a cow. The teams are formed by 27 players and the ball can be played either with feet or hands. They can fight using tactics such a punching, elbowing and all martial arts techniques, but kicks to the head are forbidden, as are fights of two or more against one. There is a referee, a field master, and six linesmen. A game lasts 50 minutes, and the winning team is the one who scores most points. The playing field is a giant sand pit with a narrow slit constituting the goal running the width of each end. Calcio Storico was not played for 200 years, until its revival in 1930. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
The Modern-Day Gladiators of Calcio Storico
ShareFLORENCE, ITALY - JUNE 30: Calcianti (Players) of the La Santa Croce Azzurri (Blue) Team and Santo Spirito Bianchi (White) Team fight during the final match at the La Santa Croce square on June 30, 2013 in Florence, Italy. Calcio Storico Fiorentino is an early form of football, originating in the 1500ís, which is still played today in Florence, Italy. The official rules of calcio were written for the first time in 1580 by Giovanni de Bardi, a count from Florence. Originally the calcio (which is also the name for modern day football/soccer in Italy) was played for rich aristocrats, and even popes were known to play. Now, the tournament is held the third week of June at the Santa Croce square in the centre of Florence. Four teams representing the neighbourhoods of Florence face each other in the first semi-finals. The winners go to the final, played every year on June 24, the day of the patron saint of Florence, San Giovanni (however the 2013 final was postponed until June 30, due to heavy rain). The winner is honoured with a cow. The teams are formed by 27 players and the ball can be played either with feet or hands. They can fight using tactics such a punching, elbowing and all martial arts techniques, but kicks to the head are forbidden, as are fights of two or more against one. There is a referee, a field master, and six linesmen. A game lasts 50 minutes, and the winning team is the one who scores most points. The playing field is a giant sand pit with a narrow slit constituting the goal running the width of each end. Calcio Storico was not played for 200 years, until its revival in 1930. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
The Calcio Storico Fiorentino 2016
ShareFLORENCE, ITALY - JUNE 24: A general view of the action during the final match between the Santa Croce Blue Team and the Santo Spirito White Team at Piazza Santa Croce on June 24, 2016 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
The Modern-Day Gladiators of Calcio Storico
ShareFLORENCE, ITALY - JUNE 30: La Santa Croce Azzurri Team player Simone Mafara celebrates after defeating the Santo Spirito Bianchi Team during the final match at the La Santa Croce square on June 30, 2013 in Florence, Italy. Calcio Storico Fiorentino is an early form of football, originating in the 1500ís, which is still played today in Florence, Italy. The official rules of calcio were written for the first time in 1580 by Giovanni de Bardi, a count from Florence. Originally the calcio (which is also the name for modern day football/soccer in Italy) was played for rich aristocrats, and even popes were known to play. Now, the tournament is held the third week of June at the Santa Croce square in the centre of Florence. Four teams representing the neighbourhoods of Florence face each other in the first semi-finals. The winners go to the final, played every year on June 24, the day of the patron saint of Florence, San Giovanni (however the 2013 final was postponed until June 30, due to heavy rain). The winner is honoured with a cow. The teams are formed by 27 players and the ball can be played either with feet or hands. They can fight using tactics such a punching, elbowing and all martial arts techniques, but kicks to the head are forbidden, as are fights of two or more against one. There is a referee, a field master, and six linesmen. A game lasts 50 minutes, and the winning team is the one who scores most points. The playing field is a giant sand pit with a narrow slit constituting the goal running the width of each end. Calcio Storico was not played for 200 years, until its revival in 1930. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
The Calcio Storico Fiorentino 2016
ShareFLORENCE, ITALY - JUNE 24: Calcianti (Players) of the Santo Spirito Bianchi Team celebrate after defeating the Santa Croce Azzurri Team during the final match at the La Santa Croce square on June 24, 2016 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
The Calcio Storico Fiorentino 2016
ShareFLORENCE, ITALY - JUNE 24: A general view of the action during the final match between the Santa Croce Blue Team and the Santo Spirito White Team at Piazza Santa Croce on June 24, 2016 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
The Calcio Storico Fiorentino 2016
ShareFLORENCE, ITALY - JUNE 24: Players from the team of SantaCroce Azzurri arrive for the final of the The Calcio Storico Fiorentino between the Santo Spirito Bianchi Team and the San Giovanni Verdi Team at the La Santa Croce square on June 24, 2016 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
The Calcio Storico Fiorentino 2016
ShareFLORENCE, ITALY - JUNE 24: A general view of the action during the final match between the Santa Croce Blue Team and the Santo Spirito White Team at Piazza Santa Croce on June 24, 2016 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
The Calcio Storico Fiorentino 2016
ShareFLORENCE, ITALY - JUNE 24: Calcianti (Players) of the Santo Spirito Bianchi (white) Team and Santa Croce (blu) Team fight during the final match at the La Santa Croce square on June 24, 2016 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
The Calcio Storico Fiorentino 2016
ShareFLORENCE, ITALY - JUNE 24: Calcianti (Players) of the Santo Spirito Bianchi (white) Team and Santa Croce (blu) Team fight during the final match at the La Santa Croce square on June 24, 2016 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
The Calcio Storico Fiorentino 2016
ShareFLORENCE, ITALY - JUNE 24: Calcianti (Players) of the Santo Spirito Bianchi (white) Team and Santa Croce (blu) Team fight during the final match at the La Santa Croce square on June 24, 2016 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
The Calcio Storico Fiorentino 2016
ShareFLORENCE, ITALY - JUNE 24: Calcianti (Players) of the Santo Spirito Bianchi (white) Team and Santa Croce (blu) Team fight during the final match at the La Santa Croce square on June 24, 2016 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
The Calcio Storico Fiorentino 2016
ShareFLORENCE, ITALY - JUNE 24: Calcianti (Players) of the Santo Spirito Bianchi (white) Team and Santa Croce (blu) Team fight during the final match at the La Santa Croce square on June 24, 2016 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
The Calcio Storico Fiorentino 2016
ShareFLORENCE, ITALY - JUNE 24: Calcianti (Players) of the Santo Spirito Bianchi (white) Team and Santa Croce (blu) Team fight during the final match at the La Santa Croce square on June 24, 2016 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
The Calcio Storico Fiorentino 2016
ShareFLORENCE, ITALY - JUNE 24: Calcianti (Players) of the Santo Spirito Bianchi (white) Team and Santa Croce (blu) Team fight during the final match at the La Santa Croce square on June 24, 2016 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
The Modern-Day Gladiators of Calcio Storico
ShareFLORENCE, ITALY - JUNE 30: Santo Spirito Bianchi Team player Riccardo Sorio 'Verona' looks on dejected with face covered by blood after beind defeated by the La Santa Croce Azzurri Team during the final match at the La Santa Croce square on June 30, 2013 in Florence, Italy. Calcio Storico Fiorentino is an early form of football, originating in the 1500ís, which is still played today in Florence, Italy. The official rules of calcio were written for the first time in 1580 by Giovanni de Bardi, a count from Florence. Originally the calcio (which is also the name for modern day football/soccer in Italy) was played for rich aristocrats, and even popes were known to play. Now, the tournament is held the third week of June at the Santa Croce square in the centre of Florence. Four teams representing the neighbourhoods of Florence face each other in the first semi-finals. The winners go to the final, played every year on June 24, the day of the patron saint of Florence, San Giovanni (however the 2013 final was postponed until June 30, due to heavy rain). The winner is honoured with a cow. The teams are formed by 27 players and the ball can be played either with feet or hands. They can fight using tactics such a punching, elbowing and all martial arts techniques, but kicks to the head are forbidden, as are fights of two or more against one. There is a referee, a field master, and six linesmen. A game lasts 50 minutes, and the winning team is the one who scores most points. The playing field is a giant sand pit with a narrow slit constituting the goal running the width of each end. Calcio Storico was not played for 200 years, until its revival in 1930. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
The Calcio Storico Fiorentino 2016
ShareFLORENCE, ITALY - JUNE 24: Calcianti (Players) of the Santo Spirito Bianchi (white) Team and Santa Croce (blu) Team fight during the final match at the La Santa Croce square on June 24, 2016 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
The Modern-Day Gladiators of Calcio Storico
ShareFLORENCE, ITALY - JUNE 30: La Santa Croce Azzurri Team player Antonio Schiavoni celebrates after defeating the Santo Spirito Bianchi Team during the final match at the La Santa Croce square on June 30, 2013 in Florence, Italy. Calcio Storico Fiorentino is an early form of football, originating in the 1500ís, which is still played today in Florence, Italy. The official rules of calcio were written for the first time in 1580 by Giovanni de Bardi, a count from Florence. Originally the calcio (which is also the name for modern day football/soccer in Italy) was played for rich aristocrats, and even popes were known to play. Now, the tournament is held the third week of June at the Santa Croce square in the centre of Florence. Four teams representing the neighbourhoods of Florence face each other in the first semi-finals. The winners go to the final, played every year on June 24, the day of the patron saint of Florence, San Giovanni (however the 2013 final was postponed until June 30, due to heavy rain). The winner is honoured with a cow. The teams are formed by 27 players and the ball can be played either with feet or hands. They can fight using tactics such a punching, elbowing and all martial arts techniques, but kicks to the head are forbidden, as are fights of two or more against one. There is a referee, a field master, and six linesmen. A game lasts 50 minutes, and the winning team is the one who scores most points. The playing field is a giant sand pit with a narrow slit constituting the goal running the width of each end. Calcio Storico was not played for 200 years, until its revival in 1930. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
The Calcio Storico Fiorentino 2016
ShareFLORENCE, ITALY - JUNE 24: Calcianti (Players) of the Santo Spirito Bianchi (white) Team and Santa Croce (blu) Team fight during the final match at the La Santa Croce square on June 24, 2016 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
The Calcio Storico Fiorentino 2016
ShareFLORENCE, ITALY - JUNE 24: Calcianti (Players) of the Santo Spirito Bianchi (white) Team and Santa Croce (blu) Team fight during the final match at the La Santa Croce square on June 24, 2016 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
The Calcio Storico Fiorentino 2016
ShareFLORENCE, ITALY - JUNE 24: Calcianti (Players) of the Santo Spirito Bianchi (white) Team and Santa Croce (blu) Team fight during the final match at the La Santa Croce square on June 24, 2016 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
The Calcio Storico Fiorentino 2016
ShareFLORENCE, ITALY - JUNE 24: Calcianti (Players) of the Santo Spirito Bianchi (white) Team and Santa Croce (blue) Team fight during the final match at the La Santa Croce square on June 24, 2016 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
The Calcio Storico Fiorentino 2016
ShareFLORENCE, ITALY - JUNE 24: Calcianti (Players) of the Santo Spirito Bianchi (white) Team and Santa Croce (blue) Team fight during the final match at the La Santa Croce square on June 24, 2016 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
The Calcio Storico Fiorentino 2016
ShareFLORENCE, ITALY - JUNE 24: A general view of the action during the final match between the Santa Croce Blue Team and the Santo Spirito White Team at Piazza Santa Croce on June 24, 2016 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
The Calcio Storico Fiorentino 2016
ShareFLORENCE, ITALY - JUNE 24: Calcianti (Players) of the Santo Spirito Bianchi (white) Team and Santa Croce (blue) Team fight during the final match at the La Santa Croce square on June 24, 2016 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
The Calcio Storico Fiorentino 2016
ShareFLORENCE, ITALY - JUNE 24: Calcianti (Players) of the Santo Spirito Bianchi (white) Team and Santa Croce (blue) Team fight during the final match at the La Santa Croce square on June 24, 2016 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
The Calcio Storico Fiorentino 2016
ShareFLORENCE, ITALY - JUNE 24: An injured player from Santo Spirito Bianchi Team receives treatment on the pitch after the final of the The Calcio Storico Fiorentino against Santa Croce Azzurri Team at the La Santa Croce square on June 24, 2016 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
The Calcio Storico Fiorentino 2016
ShareFLORENCE, ITALY - JUNE 24: Calcianti (Players) of the Santo Spirito Bianchi (white) Team and Santa Croce (blue) Team fight during the final match at the La Santa Croce square on June 24, 2016 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
The Calcio Storico Fiorentino 2016
ShareFLORENCE, ITALY - JUNE 24: A general view of the action during the final match between the Santa Croce Blue Team and the Santo Spirito White Team at Piazza Santa Croce on June 24, 2016 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
The Calcio Storico Fiorentino 2016
ShareFLORENCE, ITALY - JUNE 24: A general view of the action during the final match between the Santa Croce Blue Team and the Santo Spirito White Team at Piazza Santa Croce on June 24, 2016 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
The Calcio Storico Fiorentino 2016
ShareFLORENCE, ITALY - JUNE 24: A general view of the action during the final match between the Santa Croce Blue Team and the Santo Spirito White Team at Piazza Santa Croce on June 24, 2016 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
The Calcio Storico Fiorentino 2016
ShareFLORENCE, ITALY - JUNE 24: Calcianti (Players) of the Santo Spirito Bianchi (white) Team and Santa Croce (blue) Team fight during the final match at the La Santa Croce square on June 24, 2016 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
The Calcio Storico Fiorentino 2016
ShareFLORENCE, ITALY - JUNE 24: A general view of the action during the final match between the Santa Croce Blue Team and the Santo Spirito White Team at Piazza Santa Croce on June 24, 2016 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
The Calcio Storico Fiorentino 2016
ShareFLORENCE, ITALY - JUNE 24: A general view of the action during the final match between the Santa Croce Blue Team and the Santo Spirito White Team at Piazza Santa Croce on June 24, 2016 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
The Calcio Storico Fiorentino 2016
ShareFLORENCE, ITALY - JUNE 24: A general view of the action during the final match between the Santa Croce Blue Team and the Santo Spirito White Team at Piazza Santa Croce on June 24, 2016 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
The Calcio Storico Fiorentino 2016
ShareFLORENCE, ITALY - JUNE 24: A general view of the action during the final match between the Santa Croce Blue Team and the Santo Spirito White Team at Piazza Santa Croce on June 24, 2016 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
The Calcio Storico Fiorentino 2016
ShareFLORENCE, ITALY - JUNE 24: A general view of the action during the final match between the Santa Croce Blue Team and the Santo Spirito White Team at Piazza Santa Croce on June 24, 2016 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
The Calcio Storico Fiorentino 2016
ShareFLORENCE, ITALY - JUNE 24: A general view of the action during the final match between the Santa Croce Blue Team and the Santo Spirito White Team at Piazza Santa Croce on June 24, 2016 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
The Calcio Storico Fiorentino 2016
ShareFLORENCE, ITALY - JUNE 24: A general view of the action during the final match between the Santa Croce Blue Team and the Santo Spirito White Team at Piazza Santa Croce on June 24, 2016 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
