Mix boxing and rugby, and the result is an ultra-violent sport: Florentine calcio

Calcio Storico Fiorentino is an ancient game combining rugby, combat and strategy. Created during the Renaissance, it pits four teams from different parts of Florence against each other. On a sandy pitch, the players have to score goals while physically confronting their opponents. This intense, sometimes violent sport attracts large numbers of spectators every year during St. John's Day celebrations, paying homage to Florentine traditions.