Gioco del Ponte 2023

Gioco del Ponte 2023 will take place on Saturday, June 24, 2023, on Ponte di Mezzo, in Pisa, as part of the series of events entitled Pisan June 2023.

Gioco del Ponte (Battle of the Bridge) is a historical reenactment event held every year on the last Saturday of June, in Pisa.

SHORT HISTORY

The Battle of the Bridge has its roots in an ancient violent game called Mazzascudo, held on the day of Sant’Antonio Abate, on January 17.

On this occasion, the citizens of the city, divided into two factions, fought with clubs and shields in the current Piazza dei Cavalieri. The game was banned by the Florentines after the occupation of Pisa, in 1407.

Over the centuries, the game was repeatedly revived and interrupted, undergoing progressive changes to its original formula.

At a certain time, the Florentines invented a dispute that was placed on Ponte di Mezzo, with the clubs and shields being replaced by a wooden board called targone. The last battle disputed after this system dates back to February 6, 1807, when the queen regent of Etruria, Maria Luisa, suspended the game again.

The modern version of the game appeared in 1935. During the Second World War, due also to the bombing of Ponte di Mezzo, the game was suspended. Revived after the war, it was canceled again in 1963. The Battle of the Bridge was resumed, for the last time, in 1981.

THE EVENT

The Battle of the Bridge is held on Ponte di Mezzo, between two teams dressed in elaborate 16th century costumes – one representing Mezzogiorno, the districts of Pisa south of the Arno River, and the other representing Tramontana, the districts north of the river.

The event takes place in five stages: the march of the troops along the riverbanks of the Arno, the formal opening of the battle, the call to arms, the challenges made by ambassadors, and finally, the battle itself.

In the contemporary version, the game consists in pushing an iron cart along a specially mounted track on Ponte di Mezzo, aiming to conquer the enemy’s side of the bridge.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

On June 24, 2023, around 6.00 pm, the march of the troops will start in Piazza Guerrazzi for the people representing Mezzogiorno, and in Largo Parlascio for the army of Tramontana. The two armies will meet near Ponte di Mezzo.

The Battle of the Bridge will begin around 7.00 pm.

PISAN JUNE

The Pisan June (Giugno Pisano) is a series of events which take place during the month of June, in Pisa, in honor of the patron saint of the city, Saint Rainerius.

The Pisan June 2023 will probably begin on May 28, with the historical game of Mazzascudo, held in Piazza dei Cavalieri, and will conclude on July 6, with the ceremony of the Marriage with the Sea.