 |
Click to enlarge |
Italians are very passionate about their sport and the Florentine's
and Tuscans are no exception. Nowadays feudal fighting between
the neighbouring cities of Florence and Siena has been replaced
with spectacular traditional sporting events like the Calcio in Costume Florence and the Palio
bareback horserace in Siena.
Both are absolute must sees and if you need advice on how
to get tickets for the events or help with travel arrangements
please do not hesitate to contact the reception staff of the
Hotel San Giorgio Florence who will only
be too pleased to help you. We can also help in organising
match tickets for the newly formed AC Fiorentina football
club so you can be there and say to the world that
you witnessed the second "Renaissance in Florence..."
Calendar
Sporting Events in Florence - Hotel San Giorgio
-
Calcio in Costume - Held every June in the Santa
Croce Square a medieval soccer match played by tough guys
in traditional medieval garb.
-
The
Palio (Held in Siena) - This awesome bareback
horse race on cobbled streets is held in the nearby town
of Siena the Palio is held twice a year in July 2 and
August 16.
-
Fiorentina
Football Club Football Club formerly known
as AC Fiorentina are now playing in the lower Italian
leagues after having gone bankrupt in 2002. Despite their
lowly league status the team is still bristling with stars.
-
Florence
Marathon Held every November the Florence
Marathon is becoming increasingly popular. There is also
a half marathon and a 9km race - please advise if we can
help you with your accommodation needs whilst participating
in the scenic Florence Marathon 2005.
 |
The Calcio in
Costume has been going on for over 600 years! Held
every June the matches are contested between
the 4 historical neighbourhoods of Florence. The teams wear
the colours of their quarters which are also the names for
four of the main churchces in Florence: blue for Santa
Croce, green for San Giovanni, red
for Santa Maria Novella, white for Santo
Spirito. There are two semi finals then the final
and all the games are played in honour of St. John, the city's
Patron Saint, whose feast is celebrated on June 24th. The
prize for the winning team is a calf.
The Calcio in Costume matches are held in the centre of the
square - usually Santa Croce but sometimes Piazza
della Signoria, which is covered in sand for the
occasion. The game itselfs reminds us more of rugby or American
football than our the modern version of soccer. The rules,
which have changed little since the 15th century, are practically
non-existent: kicking, shouldering, elbowing, punching and
blows below the belt, anything is allowed to enable the players
to get hold of the ball and attempt a "caccia",
in other words, to get the ball into the net of the adversary.
It is rumoured that special day release is granted to some
of the tougher inmates from Florence Prison
to allow them to take part in the match.... Shots are fired
into the air with a culverin when a "caccia" is
scored and the atmosphere is so explosive that brawls and
broken noses abound, in spite of this the match is still well
worth going to see. See our concierge at the Hotel San Giorgio
for advice on how to purchase tickets for the Calcio in Costume
Florence.
 |
The Palio - Siena's
Palio is one of the most exciting spectacles in the
world: held twice a year (July 2 and August 16)
the city's contrade, or neighborhoods, hold a bareback horse
race around the town square in honor of the Virgin Mary. The
spectacle only lasts 3 circuits of the main square however,
the build up lasts nearly 5 hours as flag bearers and various
processions keep the crowd entertained. Entrance to
the Campo is free however, get there early if you
want a good view as the Palio is very crowded. Alternatively
you can pay for tickets and have a seat on one of the many
overlooking balconies. See our concierge at the Hotel San
Giorgio Florence for advice on how to purchase tickets for
the Palio in Siena.
 |
Fiorentina
Football Club - Fiorentina Football
Tickets Florence are sometimes hard to find however, the concierge
at the Hotel San Giorgio and Olimpic will pleased to assist
any guest of the Hotel in their quest to obtain tickets. Attendances
and results at the matches thus far have been good therefore
if you want to go along to see a match Fiorentina play every
Sunday. You can be guaranteed lots of excitement and hopefully
lots of goals. Ask at the Hotel San Giorgio reception for
information on how to purchase tickets for the Fiorentina
Football team home matches in Florence. |
