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  "path": "/news/florence-celebrates-san-giovanni-with-calcio-storico-and-fireworks.html",
  "publishedAt": "2026-06-18T04:51:53.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.wantedinrome.com",
  "tags": [
    "News",
    "Florence local English news"
  ],
  "textContent": "Florence marks the event with a public holiday.\nEvery year on 24 June, the city of Florence honours its patron saint with a day-long programme of religious ceremonies, mediaeval pageantry and one of Italy's most distinctive sporting spectacles.\n\nThe celebrations in honour of San Giovanni Battista - St John the Baptist - have their roots in the 13th century, when the city first began to mark the feast day of the saint chosen as patron for the clarity of his teachings and his courageous, combative spirit.\n\nToday, the day's events span from a Mass at the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore to the famous fireworks display known as the Fochi di San Giovanni.\n\nThe morning of 24 June sees a civic parade set off from Palazzo Vecchio, the heart of Florence's civic life, making its way to the Baptistery in Piazza Duomo - which is itself dedicated to the patron saint - where the Archbishop of Florence receives an offering of candles and presides over Mass at 10.15.\n\nCalcio Storico Fiorentino\nThe centrepiece of the afternoon is the final of the Calcio Storico Fiorentino, the ancient Florentine football.\n\nDating back roughly to the 15th century, the game is best described as a combination of wrestling, rugby and football, played out between the four historic neighbourhoods of the city: the Blues of Santa Croce, the Greens of San Giovanni, the Reds of Santa Maria Novella and the Whites of Santo Spirito.\n\nThe match at Piazza Santa Croce is preceded by a lengthy historical parade from Santa Maria Novella, and the game begins with the cry \"Viva Firenze!\".\n\nThe 2026 final will see the Azzurri (Blues) take on the Rossi (Reds) at 18.00.\n\nItalian tennis star Flavio Cobolli has been named Magnifico Messere - a ceremonial honour - for the final, while young Florentine singer-songwriter Elena D'Elia will feature among the Leggiadre Madonne for the second semi-final.\n\nThis year also sees the introduction of new stands at Piazza Santa Croce, increasing capacity from 4,856 to 5,520 spectators.\n\nAll matches will be broadcast live on Toscana TV and streamed on YouTube, TikTok and Kick via Crown League.\n\nFochi fireworks\nThe celebrations conclude in the evening with the Fochi di San Giovanni, a fireworks display launched from Piazzale Michelangelo, visible from across the city.\n\nMost Florentines gather along the Lungarni - the riverside promenades beside the Arno - with the best vantage points at Ponte Santa Trinità, Ponte alla Carraia, and Piazza Poggi.\n\nIn 2026, the fireworks will be launched at around 22.00 from Lungarno della Zecca Vecchia.\n\nPhoto Shutterstock.com",
  "title": "Florence celebrates San Giovanni with Calcio Storico and fireworks"
}