Calcio fiorentino (also known as calcio storico "historic football") is an early form of football that originated in 16th century Italy.
The "Calcio Storico Fiorentino" "Historical soccer from Florence", called in old Florence "Calcio in Livrea" was born in Florence around 1200-1300 AD.
Calcio was reserved for rich aristocrats who played every night between Epiphany and Lent. Even Popes, such as Clement VII, Leo XI and Urban VIII were known to play the sport in Vatican City.
Teams, colors and historic quarters were definitively defined. These four districts have been the key players in Historic Florentine Soccer matches ever since.
Matches last 50 minutes and are played on a field covered in sand, twice as long as it is wide. A white line divides the field into two identical squares, and a goal net runs the width of each end.
The Historic Parade of the Republic of Florence is and important part of city life. Born from 400th yearly observance of the Siege of Florence, the Battle of Gavinana and the death of florentine and Italian hero Francesco Ferrucci.
Some memorable pictures of the historic parade and of the soccer matches
Trailer Film Florence Figh-Club, dir. Luigi Maria Perotti, Rovero Impiglia
Calcio fiorentino (also known as calcio storico "historic football") is an early form of football that originated in 16th century Italy. Once widely played, the sport is thought to have originated in the Piazza Santa Croce in Florence. Here it became known as the gioco del calcio fiorentino ("Florentine kick game") or simply calcio; which is now also the name for football in the Italian language. The game may have started as a revival of the Roman sport of harpastum.
The "Calcio Storico Fiorentino" "Historical soccer from Florence", called in old Florence "Calcio in Livrea" was born in Florence around 1200-1300 AD.
It was one of the many competitions between the local noblemen. We have to remember that in this crazy period murders, death, and violence was a normal occurrence.
Kings came up with violent sports for enjoyment and to calm the population. It all goes back to the fight in the arena between Gladiators at the Roman times. There are many examples in Italy of violent sports, as well as all around the world. In central America games like "the Pelota", which was played between Mayans, was very violent and often the captain of the losing team was killed.
The Calcio storico is the father of the modern soccer, when in the time of 1540 Caterina de Medici went to live in Paris, and took with her many traditions from Italy.
The story goes that she took with her a personal cook that taught the French the Florentine style of cooking. She also brought to France the "Calcio in Livrea", Livrea in old Italian means "Costume". The English saw this strange game while it was played in France and brought the game to their region as well. This then in turn brought about Ireland "soccer", which was more similar to "Calcio in Costume" rather than modern soccer, and Rugby came to be. From rugby came American football. This game brought from Italy was the precursor of modern soccer.
Playing games with a ball wasn't a new thing. The Greeks played a game with a ball called "Sferomachia" and the Romans had a game that used a ball, but was very violent. It was quite similar to the "Calcio in Costume" called "Ludos Harpastum". Ludos translated means play, and Harpastum means take of with violence from Latinum.
The Harpastum was the game for rough people for Legionarium, as this game played on sand which gave agility, power, and pride to the Romans. L'Harpastum arrived in Florence and became one of the games played for many centuries. Today is called "Historical Soccer".
Once a year there is an important tournament with competition like the bow gun, flag throwers and if there is an important occasion a tournament.
Calcio was reserved for rich aristocrats who played every night between Epiphany and Lent. Even Popes, such as Clement VII, Leo XI and Urban VIII were known to play the sport in Vatican City. The games were known to get violent as teams vied with each other to score goals. This game was probably played already in the 15th century, so much that some matches were organized on a completely frozen over Arno river in 1490. In a historically famous occasion, the city of Florence held a match on February 17, 1530 in defiance of the imperial troops sent by Charles V, as the city was under siege . In 1574 Henry III of France attended a game of "bridge fighting" - put on in his honor during a visit to Venice; the king is recorded as saying: "Too small to be a real war and too cruel to be a game".
The official rules of calcio were published for the first time in 1580 by Giovanni de' Bardi, a Florentine count. The game is played on a field of sand with a narrow slit constituting the goal, running the width of each end. Each teams comprises 27 players who are allowed to use both feet and hands to pass and control the ball. Goals (or cacce) are scored by throwing the ball over into the netting at the end of the field. There is a main referee, six linesmen and a field master. Each match is played out for 50 minutes with the winner being the team with the most goals scored.
Teams, colors and historic quarters were definitively defined. These four districts have been the key players in Historic Florentine Soccer matches ever since. Each team has a color and is affiliated with a place of worship on it's territory. The divisions refer to Florence's 16th century transformation into quarters, overriding the previous "sequestri" (districts). Each quarter has a banner with its own particular symbol.
Santa Maria Novella, the Northwest quarter of the city ( Rossi ) Color: red Place of worship: Santa Maria Novella Church Area banner: gold sun with a blue background Group banner: White Lion, Red Lion, Viper, Unicorn.
San Giovanni, Northeast quarter of the city ( Verdi ) Color: green Place of worship: San Giovanni Baptistry Area banner: depiction of the Baptistry with a blue background Group banner: Keys, VAIO, Green Dragon, Gold Lion.
Santa Croce, Southeast quarter of the city ( Azzurri ) Color: blue Place of worship: Santa Croce Church Area banner: gold cross with a blue background Group banner: Ox, Black Lion, Wheel, Chariot.
Santo Spirito, southwest quarter of the city ( Bianchi ) Color: white Place of worship: Santo Spirito Church Area banner: white dove, symbolizing the descent of the Holy Spirit, with a blue background. Goup banner: Shell, Scale, Whip, Dragon.
Matches last 50 minutes and are played on a field covered in sand, twice as long as it is wide. A white line divides the field into two identical squares, and a goal net runs the width of each end. Each team has 27 players with no substitutions. The teams are made up of four Datori indietro (goalkeepers), 3 Datori innanzi (fullbacks), 5 Sconciatori (halfbacks), 15 Innanzi o Corridori (forwards). The Captain and Standard Bearer's tent sits at the center of the goal net. They do not actively participate in the game, but can organize their teams and sometimes act as referees, mainly to calm down their players or to stop fights.
The Referee and his six linesmen referee the match, in collaboration with the Judge Commissioner, who remains off the field. Above everyone else, is the Master of the Field. He makes sure the games runs smoothly, stepping into the field only to maintain discipline and reestablish order in case of a fight on the field.
The game starts when the Pallaio throws the ball towards the center line, followed by a small cannon firing; the shot announces the beginning of the contest.
From this moment on, the players try by any means necessary to get the ball into the opponents' goal also called caccia. The teams change sides with every caccia scored. It's important to shoot with precision, because every time a player misses the opposing team is awarded with half a caccia. The game ends after 50 minutes and the team which scored the most cacce wins.
The prize is also interesting, because along with the Palio, the winning team receives a Chianina Cow.
Cut in the center by a white line, the 2 shortest sides have a big net that reaches to each side. The net is 1 meter high. For each team there are:
At the center of the net of each team there is a captain where he stays and enters in the game only for plaque his players and give directions to them.
The game starts when the "Pallaio" kicks the ball in the field and the shot of "Colubrina" a little cannon, to salutare il gioco. At this time every player tries to catch the ball and put it in the opposite net to score a "Caccia" or point. At first the ball rests on field because the players fight in a wild boxing match against each other, the way is to knock out or pin down as many players possible, once there are enough incapacitated players, the other teammates come and swoop up the ball and head to the goal.
In the field, the player carrying the ball and defended by his other teammates would try to bring the ball and score a "caccia" or point, and it is very important to make a goal in the net because if you miss it, or the defender steals it, you give up half of a "caccia" to the other team. Sometimes the winning team has never scored a point. The winner is the team that have the most points. Its possible finish 4 and half to 3.
The winner is awarded a white cow or "chianina", famous in Italy for its Fiorentina, a t-bone typical from Florence.
Piero II de Medici son of Lorenzo il Magnifico
Lorenzo II de' Medici, Duke of Urbino
Alessandro de' Medici, Duke of Toscana
Cosimo I de' Medici, Big Duke of Toscana
Francesco I de' Medici, Big Duke of Toscana
Vincenzo Gonzaga, Duke of Mantova
Cosimo II de' Medici, Archduke of Toscana
Lorenzo e Francesco, sons of the big Duke Ferdinando I de' Medici
Enrico, Prince of Condé
Giovan Carlo e Mattia, sons of big duke Cosimo II
Giulio de' Medici, Pope Clemente VII
Alessandro de' Medici, Pope Leone XI
Maffeo Barberini, Pope Urbano VII
The Historic Parade of the Republic of Florence is and important part of city life. Born from 400th yearly observance of the Siege of Florence, the Battle of Gavinana and the death of florentine and Italian heroFrancesco Ferrucci. The historic costumes come from that glorious time, when the city was defended from Emperor Charles V. It's an impressive military procession of the time, made up of well-defined factions of marchers "at ease." Only some of them have helmets and armor, but all wear 16th century military attire.
Their elegance and bold colors, in addition to their symbolic value, invoke emotion and fascination in spectators. Each group has it's own emblem that distinguishes it from the rest of the procession. The parade banner portrays a red lily on a white background, underlined with "FIORENZA." It's escorted by armed men leading other marchers behind, and is always different, depending on the occasion for which the Procession is representing the city.
To be able to admire the complete Historic Procession of the Republic of Florence, unique in institutionally portraying the city, one must wait for the parade accompanying the Historic Florentine Soccer players to traditional games in Piazza Santa Croce.
On other occasions, more than 120 a year, the Procession marches in reduced, but no less impressive, form.
THE BANNER OF FLORENCE escorted by "Family of the Palace"
The city's emblem. Florence's emblem is a red lily on white background, derived from the Florentine Iris, a white flower very common to the surrounding countryside.
In 1251, following conflict between the Guelphs and the Ghibellines, the colors of the emblem were reversed depending on which faction was in power. After the final Guelph "victory," the version with the red flower, white background (the party's coat of arms) was adopted.
To this day in the city of Florence, the Historic Procession of the Florentine Republic and the Bandieri degli Uffizi (Official flag-wavers of Florence) are adorned with this emblem, which has remained virtually unchanged for centuries.
SERGENTI DEGLI OTTO DI GUARDIA E DI BALIA
One of the most beautiful costumes in the processions, featured in a fresco by Vasari in the Salone dei cinquecento (Hall of 500) in the "Presa di Porto Ercole."
MAESTRO DI CAMPO
Commanding Officer of the Regiment. His importance called for a personal escort and emblem. Entrusted with the responsibility enforcing game and tournament rules, he is one of the most important figures in both the Procession and Historic Florentine Soccer.
SCORTA DEL MAESTRO DI CAMPO - ARALDO DELLA SIGNORIA
He was the head of the Signoria family and cerimonial master. For Florentine Soccer, he has the very important task of addressing the MAGNIFICO MESSERE, reading the "GRIDA" and handing over command to the MAESTRO DI CAMPO with the phrase, "Maestro di Campo, to you the command!"
BANDIERAIO DELL’ARALDO
Carries the emblem of the Heraldry.
CAPITANO DI GUARDIA DEL CONTADO E DEL DISTRETTO
The Commander of the People's Militia. In the procession, he is the director and instructor of the historic teams. He is in charge of the parade itself, it's organization and unfolding of events. He orders the "out loud salute," according to 16th century military protocol, making an impressive introduction of the Procession to the local goverment.
BANDIERAIO DI FIRENZE
Has the job of carrying the banner or the flag bearing the symbol of Florence.
PAGGETTO
A young boy carries the PALIETTO throughout the entire Procession of Historic Florentine Soccer.
GRUPPO DEI BANDIERAI
Carry the principal emblems of the Republic of Florence.
PALLAIO
Carries two balls the colors of the two teams playing each other in the match.
GIUDICE COMMISSARIO
Has the role of confirming team points and calling foul play during the game.
TRE ARBITRI
Referee the game.
GIUDICI DI CAMPO
Act as linesman and signal the referee when the ball goes out of bounds.
GRUPPO DEI MUSICI
Includes the MAESTRO DEI MUSICI, drummers, trumpets and flutes.
CAPITANO GENERALE DELLE ARTIGLIERIE
The commander of all artillery in the parade.
UFFICIALI DELLE FANTERIE
26 men proceeded by a BANDIERAIO bearing the Guelph party emblem.
COMANDANTE DELLA COMPAGNIA DEL VAIO
Noble on horseback.
ARCHIBUSIERI
Armed with arquebus firearms and swords.
ALABARDIERI
Armed with axes and swords.
FANTI DI PALAZZO
Armbed with sword and spear. They were the soldiers that guarded the safety of the SIGNORIA.
BALESTRIERI FIORENTINI
Armed with wooden crossbows with steel arches and CARICAMENTO A STAFFA.
The "PALIO DEL BALUARDO" takes place every year in the month of May at BALUARDO DI SAN GIORGIO, an archery competition using traditional crossbows.
I QUARTIERI
Marchers preceding the the Historic Soccer teams, each quarter has it's unique emblem displayed on four banners.
I CALCIANTI
Teams are ordered by quarter, and priority position is given to the winning quarter of the previous game.
MAGGIOR GENERAL SERGENTE DELLE MILIZIE
Noble Comander of the entire Florentine Militia, either on foot or horseback.
LANCE SPEZZATE
Two noble escorts to the Maggior General Sergente.
COLONNELLI E CAPITANI DELLE BANDE A CAVALLO
Noble knights.
STAFFIERI
Marchers accompanying the Noble on horseback, holding the bridle.
BOMBARDIERI
In charge of the handling and shooting of four muskets.
BOVARI
March with the winning team's grand prize, the coveted Chianina breed cow.
FANTI DELL’ORDINANZA
City militia armed with swords and spears.
PROCONSOLO DELLE ARTI
Il Proconsolo dell’Arte dei Giudici e dei Notai assumed this title and played a leading role in regard to all the "Priori delle Arti" present in Florence around 1300. The marcher is accompanied by two NUNZI.
TRIBUNALE DI MERCATANZIA
Represents the court judge.
GRUPPO DELLE ARTI MAGGIORI
Seven banners bearing the sign of their respective Art.
GRUPPO DELLE ARTI MINORI
14 banners bearing the sign of their respective Art.
BANDIERAI DEGLI UFFIZI
A group of flag-wavers bearing the emblems of the 16 civil courts they represent. More information on this group and their activities can be found on their website: www.bandieraidegliuffizi.it
FANTI DELLE CORPORAZIONI
Armed with spears, they founded the Militia of the Major and Minor Arts.
FLORENTINE MADONNAS
Madonnas in 16th century costume. Grace, beauty and kindness were the prerogative of these woman, always at the side of strong men, sharing in their suffering and deprivation.
Photo by Massimo Dondini