A brief history, synopsis and what it’s like to be in the mix.

The Calcio Storico is back in #Florence! https://t.co/AMTBglt61M

— Artviva (@ArtVivaTours) June 11, 2016

About a month ago scaffolding went up around Piazza Santa Croce. Confused, I turned to my boyfriend asking him what this was about, assuming it was restorations, or a possible concert. “Calcio Storico,” he said, “one of the most brutal football matches you will ever see.”

#Florence is getting ready for the Calcio Storico this weekend #Travel #Sport #EscapeExplore https://t.co/UPzgruDM5u pic.twitter.com/JLhJr4hXNf

— Abercrombie & Kent (@AKVillas) June 10, 2016

Unsure of what this all meant, I decided to do a bit of research myself. I quickly found out there are 4 teams historic Florence is separated into. Santa Croce, Blue (Azzuri); Santo Spirito, White (Bianchi); Santa Maria Novella, Red (Rossi); San Giovanni, Green (Verdi).

#CalcioStoricoFiorentino kicks in tomorrow in Piazza #SantaCroce!Tickets https://t.co/62KrQepuGl#apartmentsflorence pic.twitter.com/ktmRVoKZgA

— Apartments Florence (@AptsFlorenceIT) June 10, 2016

Violence in sports has existed through the ages. Take the Romans pitting Gladiators against bulls and lions in the Colosseum, or filling it with water just for the sake of having a mock naval battle.

Today I am playing calcio storico fiorentino and fully acknowledge that I am completely out of my depth.

— Richard Madden (@_richardmadden) October 5, 2015

The archaic times of drinking bad wine out of wooden cups, men wearing capes with skirts, and women in tunics have left us, but for one glorious month the Piazza di Santa Croce is turned into a historical arena, reminding us that traditions, especially in a country as old as Italy, truly live on.

Calcio Storico Fiorentino in Florence: What it is, Ticket Info and More

Saturday, June 11 was the first round of the semi finals with San Giovanni and Santo Spirito. The day after Santa Croce took on Santa Maria Novella.

Calcio storico fiorentino! pic.twitter.com/TYVgbXRYyB

— Katia (@Katia17) June 12, 2016

The teams that won their semifinal rounds were the white team, and the blue team.

The Calcio Storico final will be played between the Bianchi and Azzurri on June 24. My @GentlemanUltra piece is here https://t.co/iJN7lygdpn

— Chloe Beresford (@ChloeJBeresford) June 12, 2016

A few hours before the match of the day there is a parade through the streets of Florence, up until this point in the day Florence is relatively quiet. Once the festivities start, theres no such thing. I live just down the street from Santa Croce and when the parade finally arrives there, fireworks are set off. I jumped out of my seat not expecting a mid-day fireworks display.

Calcio Storico parade yesterday. Happened to come across it on the way to the hotel. Almost went to the game, too!

A photo posted by Robert Rees (@robertmaxrees) on Jun 13, 2016 at 5:33am PDT

 

Calcio Storico, Azzurri in finale Lampo Rosso, poi Santa Croce dilaga https://t.co/oFDMzEjvLT pic.twitter.com/4GdzzI9uo1

— Firenze 24 (@firenze24) June 12, 2016

Calcio Fiorentino is the precursor to modern soccer, rugby, and american football. But much more brutal. It most closely resembles rugby, just with costume pants on (did I mention the men are usually shirtless?).

The History of Florentine Soccer and its Origins

The official rules of Calcio Fiorentino were established in 1580, but the games go back further than that. One famous game is recounted as being played on the Arno, when it was iced over a particularly cold winter. According to records some MVP’s throughout history include several of the Medici family, as well as a few popes.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VVJEvtkFKBc]

But what about living in Florence during all of this. Well, as Italians, when they go in for something they go all in. Streets blocked off, shops closing early (perfect excuse to get out of work). Living here you have to be part of the tradition. Couldn’t agree with you more @Bee_anca76.

When the Italian police block off your street for the Calcio Storico Fiorentino semi-final games #Italy

— Bianca Barrera (@Bee_anca76) June 11, 2016