Tuscany is a magical place full of incredible works of art, delicious dishes waiting to be eaten, pretty towns, wonderful views, a rich cultural and historical heritage, lots to see and do, and much more besides. However, it is also, oftentimes, quite a strange place with things you might not expect like Torture Museums, intestine sandwiches, dinosaur bones in church walls, swords stuck in stones, and other bizarre and unique places, attractions, and surprises. It is, furthermore, home to quite a few unique traditions and festivals that are must-sees for those looking to get off the beaten tourist path and experience a different, less-talked-about, side of Tuscany. If you have found a vacation rental in Tuscany and are looking for more unique and impossibly memorable experiences of the region, then check out this list of some of the most unusual and special events in Tuscany…
Watermelon Festival, Castellina in Chianti
For those planning on renting a holiday rental in Chianti at the end of August, you should aim to head the charming town of Castellina in Chianti for the Watermelon Festival, or Sagra del Cocomero. Like most festivals in Italy there is lots of foods and music but the main star of the show is the watermelon. So, if a whole festival dedicated to watermelons sounds good to you, then there could be no better fit! The best way to cool down during the hottest month of the year in Tuscany.
Watermelon Festival, Castellina in Chianti
For those planning on renting a holiday rental in Chianti at the end of August, you should aim to head the charming town of Castellina in Chianti for the Watermelon Festival, or Sagra del Cocomero. Like most festivals in Italy there is lots of foods and music but the main star of the show is the watermelon. So, if a whole festival dedicated to watermelons sounds good to you, then there could be no better fit! The best way to cool down during the hottest month of the year in Tuscany.
Calcio Storico, Florence
A precursor to the modern sport of soccer, “il calcio storico fiorentino” is an annual game played during the third week of June in Florence and is one of the most interesting and unique things to witness if you have found a luxury villa in Florence and are planning to visit around that time of year. Calcio storico is much more brutal and violent sport that is more like a blend of soccer with rugby and boxing. Once reserved for aristocrats and something that even popes are known to have played, the sport is now an annual tradition that sees three games take place each year between teams from each of the four quarters of the city that is played by volunteers. There are few rules and a high level of violence is allowed and the atmosphere and testosterone-driven. Thousands attend each year and you could be among them if you are interested in witnessing a unique sporting experience in Florence!
A precursor to the modern sport of soccer, “il calcio storico fiorentino” is an annual game played during the third week of June in Florence and is one of the most interesting and unique things to witness if you have found a luxury villa in Florence and are planning to visit around that time of year. Calcio storico is much more brutal and violent sport that is more like a blend of soccer with rugby and boxing. Once reserved for aristocrats and something that even popes are known to have played, the sport is now an annual tradition that sees three games take place each year between teams from each of the four quarters of the city that is played by volunteers. There are few rules and a high level of violence is allowed and the atmosphere and testosterone-driven. Thousands attend each year and you could be among them if you are interested in witnessing a unique sporting experience in Florence!
The Battle of the Bridge, Pisa
While in a vacation rental in Pisa and exploring the city (beyond the Leaning Tower), make time for the Battle of the Bridge, held annually on the last Saturday of June. A festival that can seem a little silly but is lots of fun and a great experience, it sees the neighbourhoods of the city divide into two teams – the Mezzogiorno for districts south of the Arno and the Tramontana for those north of the Arno – and fight over the Ponte di Mezzo bridge in a mock battle. There is a parade before involving 700 people in medieval costume and the whole thing involves lots of pomp, ceremony, colour, and fun in Pisa.
While in a vacation rental in Pisa and exploring the city (beyond the Leaning Tower), make time for the Battle of the Bridge, held annually on the last Saturday of June. A festival that can seem a little silly but is lots of fun and a great experience, it sees the neighbourhoods of the city divide into two teams – the Mezzogiorno for districts south of the Arno and the Tramontana for those north of the Arno – and fight over the Ponte di Mezzo bridge in a mock battle. There is a parade before involving 700 people in medieval costume and the whole thing involves lots of pomp, ceremony, colour, and fun in Pisa.
Bravio delle Botti, Montepulciano
If you have found a vacation rental in Montepulciano and are planning to visit in the last couple of weeks of August, keep an eye out on the final Sunday of the month. This is when the Bravio delle Botti will take place on the streets of the medieval core of the picturesque city. A competition between the eight contrade, or districts, of the town, it sees them compete to win a race during which competitors push massive 80kg wooden wine barrels a kilometre uphill. A rather bizarre thing to observe, it is a pretty special event to celebrate the city’s unique history and wine culture in a fun way. Where else will you see adults racing with giant wine barrels?
If you have found a vacation rental in Montepulciano and are planning to visit in the last couple of weeks of August, keep an eye out on the final Sunday of the month. This is when the Bravio delle Botti will take place on the streets of the medieval core of the picturesque city. A competition between the eight contrade, or districts, of the town, it sees them compete to win a race during which competitors push massive 80kg wooden wine barrels a kilometre uphill. A rather bizarre thing to observe, it is a pretty special event to celebrate the city’s unique history and wine culture in a fun way. Where else will you see adults racing with giant wine barrels?
Rificolona Festival, Florence
If you are thinking of heading to Florence towards the end of the summer, aim for around the 8th of September and experience the Rificolona festival. Celebrating the birth of the Virgin Mary, this festival involves religious ceremonies, paper lanterns...and spit wads? On the eve of the 8th of September, Florentines and other "pilgrims" carry paper lanterns on sticks through the streets of Florence and, along the way, children blow spit wads at the paper lanterns. While it harkens back to how rural peasants were made fun of by locals for their shoddy Sunday best outfits during the celebrations in the past, it is now simply a festival all about fun. And spit wads.
These highly unique festivals offer a chance to partake in local Tuscan traditions and to make memories that aren’t quite the regular tourist experience. They are a must for those looking to get well beyond the beaten tourist path.
If you are thinking of heading to Florence towards the end of the summer, aim for around the 8th of September and experience the Rificolona festival. Celebrating the birth of the Virgin Mary, this festival involves religious ceremonies, paper lanterns...and spit wads? On the eve of the 8th of September, Florentines and other "pilgrims" carry paper lanterns on sticks through the streets of Florence and, along the way, children blow spit wads at the paper lanterns. While it harkens back to how rural peasants were made fun of by locals for their shoddy Sunday best outfits during the celebrations in the past, it is now simply a festival all about fun. And spit wads.
These highly unique festivals offer a chance to partake in local Tuscan traditions and to make memories that aren’t quite the regular tourist experience. They are a must for those looking to get well beyond the beaten tourist path.
Photo credits
picture 2: Lennaz / CC BY-SA 3.0;
picture 2: Lennaz / CC BY-SA 3.0;
