An event that reveals Florence beyond its monuments
Every June, Florence stages one of its most powerful and recognisable traditions: Calcio Storico Fiorentino. The matches take place in Piazza Santa Croce, which is turned into a sand-covered arena, and are preceded by a grand Renaissance-style historical parade through the city centre. For international visitors, it is much more than a spectacle: it is one of the moments when Florence reveals its most authentic character, shaped by belonging, pride and collective memory.
Its origins: between Harpastum, the Middle Ages and the match of 1530
Calcio Storico traces its roots back to the earliest ball games: from the ancient Greek Sferomachia to the Roman Harpastum, and then to the ball games played in the streets of medieval Florence. The modern tradition is especially inspired by the famous match of 17 February 1530, played in Piazza Santa Croce during the siege of Florence — a symbolic act through which the city expressed pride and defiance even in one of the most dramatic moments of its history.
How Calcio Storico works
There are four teams, each representing one of Florence’s historic districts:
- Bianchi of Santo Spirito
- Azzurri of Santa Croce
- Verdi of San Giovanni
- Rossi of Santa Maria Novella
Each team is made up of 27 players, and the tournament consists of two semifinals and one final, traditionally held around the feast of Saint John the Baptist, Florence’s patron saint. To first-time spectators, it may look like a mix of football, rugby and wrestling, although the rules follow a distinct tradition of their own.
Why it is worth experiencing during a stay in Florence
Watching Calcio Storico means seeing Florence from a different perspective. Not through its best-known landmarks, but through one of its living traditions, still deeply felt by Florentines today. It is the kind of event that adds something monuments alone cannot provide: direct contact with the city’s identity.
Florence in June: Calcio Storico Fiorentino and a stay in the historic centre
June is one of the most vibrant times to experience Florence: longer days, a lively atmosphere, open-air events and a historic centre that takes on a different energy. Staying in the heart of the city makes it easy to move on foot, feel the anticipation building around the matches, and then return to a quieter, more private setting.
At Donati Luxury Tower, just a short walk from the Duomo and in the heart of the historic centre, this experience becomes even more natural: you can enjoy one of Florence’s strongest traditions up close, while still returning to privacy, calm and a more intimate dimension of the stay.
