modern gladiators calcio storico fiorentino

modern gladiators – calcio storico fiorentinoimage © stefano pogliani 

every year in june and july, amidst the traditional ceremonies, parades and authentic colorful costumes, calcio storico fiorentino – the sporting event originally traced back over 500 years ago in florence – is held. four teams rule the show – bianchi, verdi, rossi and azzurri – each with 27 combatants, battling to reign champion. re-visiting a time where competitive sports drew blood and broken bones, the spectacle fuses a mix, of rugby, football, boxing, mixed martial arts and greco roman wrestling into an ‘everything goes’ type match.

the contest is held in a giant sand pit playing field, with the goal running the width of each end, the aim being to score a point without getting pummeled by the opponent. after 50 minutes of continuous play, the match ends, with the winning team receiving massive steaks equivalent in weight to that of a white calf.

modern gladiators – calcio storicovideo courtesy david battistella

image © stefano pogliani 

image © stefano pogliani 

image © stefano pogliani 

image © nital