Italians are very passionate about their sport and the Florentine's
and Tuscans are no exception. Nowadays feudal fighting between the
neighbouring cities of Florence and Siena has been replaced with
spectacular traditional sporting events like the Costume
di Calcio Florence and the Palio bareback
horserace in Siena. Both are absolute must sees and if you
need advice on how to get tickets for the events or help with travel
arrangements please do not hesitate to contact the reception staff
of the Hotel Raffaello Florence who will only be too pleased to
help you. We can also help in organising match tickets for the newly
formed AC Florentia football club so you can be there and say to
the world that you witnessed the second "Renaissance in Florence..."
Calendar
Sporting Events in Florence - Hotel Raffaello
- Costume
di Calcio - Held every June in the Santa Croce Square
a medieval soccer match played by tough guys in traditional
medieval garb.
- The
Palio - This awesome bareback horse race on cobbled
streets is held in the nearby town of Siena the Palio is held
twice a year in July 2 and August 16.
-
Florentia Football Club
Football Club formerly known as AC Fiorentina are now playing
in the lower Italian leagues after having gone bankrupt in 2002.
Despite their lowly league status the team is still bristling
with stars like Di Livio and others.
The Calcio in Costume has been going on for over
600 years! Held every June the matches are contested between the
4 historical neighbourhoods of Florence. The teams wear the colours
of their quarters which are also the names for four of the main
churchces in Florence: blue for Santa Croce, green for San Giovanni,
red for Santa Maria Novella, white for Santo Spirito. There are
two semi finals then the final and all the games are played in
honour of St. John, the city's Patron Saint, whose feast is celebrated
on June 24th. The prize for the winning team is a calf.
The Calcio in Costume matches are held in the centre of the square
- usually Santa Croce but sometimes Piazza della Signoria, which
is covered in sand for the occasion. The game itselfs reminds
us more of rugby or American football than our the modern version
of soccer. The rules, which have changed little since the 15th
century, are practically non-existent: kicking, shouldering, elbowing,
punching and blows below the belt, anything is allowed to enable
the players to get hold of the ball and attempt a "caccia",
in other words, to get the ball into the net of the adversary.
It is rumoured that special day release is granted to some of
the tougher inmates from Florence Prison to allow them to take
part in the match.... Shots are fired into the air with a culverin
when a "caccia" is scored and the atmosphere is so explosive
that brawls and broken noses abound, in spite of this the match
is still well worth going to see. See our concierge at the Hotel
Raffaello for advice on how to purchase tickets for the Costume
di Calcio Florence / Firenze.
The Palio - Siena's Palio is one of
the most exciting spectacles in the world: held twice a year (July
2 and August 16) the city's contrade, or neighborhoods, hold a
bareback horse race around the town square in honor of the Virgin
Mary. The spectacle only lasts 3 circuits of the main square however,
the build up lasts nearly 5 hours as flag bearers and various
processions keep the crowd entertained. Entrance to the Campo
is free however, get there early if you want a good view as the
Palio is very crowded. Alternatively you can pay for tickets and
have a seat on one of the many overlooking balconies. See our
concierge at the Hotel Raffaello Florence for advice on how to
purchase tickets for the Palio in Siena.
Florentia Football Club - Established in September
2002 the newly formed Florentia Football club will play season
2002/2003 in the lowest professional Italian league Serie C2B.
Nevertheless, the team has kept many of it's former stars including
players like Angelo di Livio, Repka and Torricelli. Attendances
and results at the matches thus far have been good therefore if
you want to go along to see a match Florentia play every Sunday.
You can be guaranteed lots of excitement and hopefully lots of
goals. Ask at the Hotel Raffaello reception for information on
how to purchase tickets for the Florentia Football team home matches
in Florence.
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For Further Information please
see below
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