In June 2015, the day before the official start of Pitti Uomo 88, Florence’s streets saw 540 figurants marching through the city to reenact one of the city’s most interesting traditions: the ‘calcio storico’.
The Calcio Storico Fiorentino has its roots in the Renaissance and is a symbol of both the city and of Italian national identity. Traditionally played by the aristocrats wearing their house’s livery, “calcio storico” is a form of football that was popular in Italy during the 16th century, from which the current football game evolved. Appallingly violent, the match, which lasts 50 minutes, features two opponents teams composed by 27 men whose aim is to score a point, called “caccia”, into the opponent’s net.
The evening began with the Corteo Storico della Repubblica Fiorentina – the historic procession of the Florentine Republic with five hundred forty participants wearing Renaissance costume, reenacting the procession of 1530, when Florentines marched to bear witness to the freedom and pride of a city besieged by French troops. At the conclusion of their parade through the streets of the city’s historic center, the group made a triumphant entrance in Piazza Santa Croce.