‘Calcio Storico’ Possibly The Most Violent Sport In The World
0You’ve never heard of this Calcio Storico, and you’ve certainly never played it. Calcio Storico is, literately translated,”Historic Football” in which modern day gladiators carry a ball around while avoiding death. Pretty fun, right?
The Calcio Storicois a combination of soccer, rugby and traditional Greco-Roman wrestling originated in 16th century Florence and played today in historical costumes. The four teams representing the historical neighborhoods of the city play against each other, Santa Croce (Blues), Santa Maria Novella (Reds), Santo Spirito (Whites), San Giovanni (Greens). In modern time game is held every year at Piazza Santa Croce in Florence in the 3rd week of June.
The teams consist of 27 players who use any means necessary to get the ball into the opponents’ goal also called caccia. And we do mean “any means necessary”. Punching, wrestling or violently slamming opponents to the ground are some of the legitimate ways to reach the caccia.
Illustration of a game of Calcio Fiorentino; 1688
Source: Wikipedia
And here is how it looks today
Image credits: QN
Image credits: Wikipedia
Image credits: QN
Image credits: QN