BBC magazine writer Sarah Dunant explains a “no-holds-barred ball game” or more of a battle that takes place in a sandpit situated in the middle of Florence every year. The ball game with 500 years of tradition is known as “Calcio Storico” where a team consists of 27 men. Teams come from each quarter of the city Santa Spiritu, San Giovanni, Santa Maria Novella and Santa Croce.

Dunant said:

The aim, over two heats and a final, is for players to get the ball over the 4ft (1.2m) fence at either end of the pitch. To achieve this, players can use both hands and feet, as well as every other part of the body when it comes to wrestling, punching and generally immobilising their opponents on the way. In other words – sport as muted warfare.

The event is like stepping back in time. With crowds roaring and renaissance colours everywhere, it’s a scene where any 15th century Florentine would feel right at home. The only modern touches are the t-shirts that the players wear with their sponsors’ logos visible, according to Dunant. But a few minutes into the game, the t-shirts are off and only bare chested men can be seen.

In 1574 Henry III of France was in Florence to watch one of these games. He said:

Too small to be a real war and too cruel to be a game.

This year’s Calcio Storico final was postponed due to torrential rains, it is usually played on the feast day of St. John on 24 June. The final was played six days later and saw Santa Croce take the title.

[Source: BBC, YouTube]