The official rules of calcio storico were written in 1580 by Giovanni de Bardi, a count from Florence. The game was originally played by rich aristocrats, with popes participating in the action too.

Calcio storico games often break out into fist fights Getty In modern times, the game is played in June, with the finals played on June 24, the feast day of St. John the Baptist.

The ancient sport calcio storico is still played in Florence, Italy. Supporters of the Azzurri team, which represents the city's Santa Croce quarter, celebrate with their team color, blue, as ...

Like many other boys in Florence, he wound up playing a diluted version of calcio storico with friends as a teenager. Tackling was permitted but not punches -- although fights sometimes broke out.

Florence, Italy, Jun 4 (EFE).- Every year in June, the Italian city of Florence returns to the 16th century – when it was the cultural center of the world – thanks to ‘Calcio Storico ...

On June 24th each year, Florence's main square turns into an arena for a sport that's a brutal combination of rugby, football, and wrestling. The Local explores the history of this unique tradition.

(ANSA) - ROME, JUN 12 - Florentine-born TV presenter Carlo Conti will be the Magnificent Lord refereeing the final of Florence's annual soccer-cum-rugby-cum-wrestling free.-for-all event in ...

FLORENCE, Italy — While the rest of Europe is glued to the Euro 2016 football championship, Florentines are spending June bellowing support for bands of bare-chested ruffians engaged in bouts of ...