February 17 ‘Calcio Storico’ Reenactment of the 1530 Match Played During the Florence Seige

On February 17, 2026, Piazza Santa Croce will host an exciting game of Calcio Storico, a medieval Florentine team sport that combines soccer, rugby and wrestling featuring the older players, known as Vecchie Glorie (Old Glories). At 1:45 pm, a parade of ladies and gentlemen dressed in historic costume will walk from the Palagio di Parte Guelfa to Piazza Signoria, then to Piazza Santa Maria Novella, ending in Piazza Santa Croce.  After a display of expert flag-throwing, the match will begin at 4 pm.

February 17 is the anniversary of a memorable Calcio Storico game that took place in defiance of a siege by Charles V of Spain’s army in 1530, and recreated every year in the city’s recent history.  Calcio Storico is normally played by younger Florentines resident in the city’s central neighborhoods — San Giovanni, Santa Croce, Santa Maria Novella and Santo Spirito — every June.