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Florentine football... the ancestor of modern soccer A kick back in time
[Susan Glasspool]
The rough and tumble of traditional Florentine football, locally known as ‘calcio in costume’ (football in costume), dates from Renaissance times, though it is thought to have come originally from the Greek game of "Sferomachia", taken up by the Romans legionaries in ancient Florentia, who called it "Arpasto". Today’s re-enactment is inspired by the game played between the “Reds and Greens” in Piazza Santa Croce at Carnival time on February 17th 1529. This game was an act of derision, the Florentine Republic's way of showing how little notice it was prepared to take of the Imperial troups of Charles V who were then besieging the city.
Music was played from top of the roof of the Basilica to make sure that the enemy encamped on the southern hilltop could see and hear the festvities. This provoked a cannon shot that luckily did not cause any damage but was answered by a loud response from the musicians and catcalls from the public, who took up the the patrotic cry of "Marzocco" (the Florentine lion).
The game however was not revived until 1898, after which it gradually grew in popularity until it was decided to perpetuate the ancient custom with the same costumes, rules, flags, militia and ceremony.
Almost magically the city seems to take on a 16th century atmosphere when these matches start. They take about 50 minutes and can be quite violent, often ending up with broken noses. There are 54 players in all, 27 per team, and all dressed in medieval costume, not a very comfortable form of sportswear! As there are practically no real rules, anything goes as long as a player can grab the the ball and finally score a ‘caccia’.
The colours of the four teams from the city quarters are Blue for Santa Croce, Green for San Giovanni, Red for Santa Maria Novella, and White for Santo Spirito. This year the qualifying matches will be held on June 11th and 18th. The final is played on June 24th, the Feast Day of Florence’s Patron Saint, St. John the Baptist. The matches are in Piazza Santa Croce, though the pavement will necessarily be covered in sand for the occasion!
A formal procession, with as many as 530 people in Renaissance costumes, is held before each game and moves from Piazza Santa Maria Novella (4pm) to conclude in Piazza Santa Croce. The game itself is preceded by a traditional flag throwing display.
These games are now held regularly every year to the enthusiasm of the inhabitants and the team supporters, as well as the ecstatic admiration of the many tourists who are irresistably attracted here to watch this fascinating game. The winning team receives a white calf as a prize.
Match dates
June 11th: Blues versus Whites
June 18th: Greens versus Reds
June 24th: Final match
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