Florentine Historical Football 2025: schedule and dates
Florentine Historical Football (Calcio Storico Fiorentino, also known as "soccer in livery" or "calcio in costume,") is more than just a sport: it is a deep dive into the beating heart of Florence's history and tradition.
Its origins date back to the 15th century, a time when the city of lilies was a center of art, culture and, it seems, intense athletic competition.
This bloody and spectacular sport can be considered a precursor to the modern game of soccer, but a closer look reveals that its dynamics are far more complex and brutal.
While it may share some aspects with soccer, it is fundamentally more akin to rugby, with a significant and not insignificant addition of hand-to-hand combat bordering on boxing and wrestling.
Initially, Historical Football was not a codified sport, but rather a display of strength and skill held during patron saint festivals or major religious celebrations.
It was a way for the nobility and the most prominent families of Florence to demonstrate their bravery and prestige.
Over time, however, the importance and popularity of the game grew exponentially. The games became more structured, the rules (however vague) more defined, and Calcio Storico became a sport in its own right, a unique and inimitable expression of the Florentine spirit.
Even today, attending a Calcio Storico match is like stepping back in time, an intense and unforgettable experience that allows one to fully understand the pride and passion that animate the city of Florence.
also known as “calcio in livrea” (football in livery) or “calcio in costume” (football in costume), is a sport that dates back to the 15th century and represents an important part of the culture and tradition of Florence.
Originally, the game was played as part of a patron saint festival or a religious celebration but, over the years, it became a sport in its own right.
