Calcio Storico Final & Fireworks

Greatly enjoyed by spectators, Florence’s San Giovanni celebrations on June 24 went without a hitch.

Thanks to heightened security, number of visitors to city center was restricted to 20,000 at four access points controlled by local police. The Bianchi of Santo Spirito beat the Greens of San Maria Novella 6 cacce to 5 1/2 in the Calcio Storio final match in piazza Santa Croce, with the decisive point scored with less than a minute left to play.  To see a photo gallery, visit Florence’s La Repubblica news site.

The 10 pm fireworks were even more spectacular than usual, lighting up Florence landmarks such as Ponte Vecchio, Palazzo Vecchio and San Miniato — see photo gallery.