Residents urge Florence to move Calcio Storico from Piazza Santa Croce

A group of 24 residents living in and around Piazza Santa Croce have sent a formal warning to Mayor Sara Funaro, asking the city to relocate major events such as the Calcio Storico and concerts traditionally held in the square. The move, first reported by La Nazione, cites excessive noise, heat exposure and the alleged violation of a previous court ruling that banned concerts in the area.

Calcio Storico Fiorentino is a centuries-old Florentine tradition that combines elements of soccer, rugby and wrestling. Played every June in Piazza Santa Croce, the tournament features four teams representing Florence’s historic districts (Santa Croce, Santo Spirito, Santa Maria Novella and San Giovanni) competing in colorful Renaissance costumes. The matches attract thousands of spectators and are among the city’s most iconic events, but they also require the construction of large temporary stands and extensive preparation in the square.

In their letter, the residents recall that nearly fifteen years ago the Florence Court prohibited the use of Piazza Santa Croce for concerts, recognizing its historical, artistic and spiritual significance. According to the signatories, that ruling should have led the city to manage the square “in line with its cultural and religious nature.”

A technical report attached to the document states that noise levels during the Calcio Storico matches exceeded normal tolerance thresholds, reaching between 79.7 and 83.4 decibels, and remaining above 60 decibels during the setup and dismantling of the stands. The letter also raises safety concerns over heat accumulation on metal structures, which reportedly reached 60°C during summer events.

Residents further argue that the city’s handling of large-scale events ignores both environmental concerns linked to global warming and recent European legislation on environmental impact assessments.

The warning concludes with a formal request for the city to move future editions of the Calcio Storico and similar events to a more suitable location and to open a discussion table with the neighborhood. The group reserves the right to return to court if no action is taken.

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