Gioco del Ponte — Pisa’s Battle of the Bridge

Two sides of the Arno push a 7-ton cart across the Ponte di Mezzo. Medieval tug-of-war with full armor, since 1568.

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When

Last Saturday of June. Ponte di Mezzo (the central bridge over the Arno). Night event: parade from 7pm, battle from 9pm.

The event

Tramontana (north) vs Mezzogiorno (south). Each side pushes a heavy cart on rails across the bridge. Six rounds, each with different neighborhood teams. The side that pushes the cart furthest wins. Before the battle: a candlelit historical parade of 700+ in 16th-century Spanish costume (Pisa was under Spanish influence).

Tickets

Grandstand: €15–40 (giocodelpontepisano.it). Standing along the Lungarno: free. Come early (6pm) for the parade along the river — the torchlit procession reflecting on the Arno is magnificent.

More events & festivals

Calcio StoricoFlorence–CT–Pisa
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