Gioco del Ponte

Gioco del Ponte

Last Sunday in June

The Gioco del Ponte, or "Battle for the Bridge," in Pisa, Tuscany, Italy, goes back to the 13th century. Following a medieval procession, two teams in full medieval costume take part in a traditional competition which involves a reversal of the usual tug-of-war. About 20 or 30 men from each team line up behind a mechanism on rails and push. The first team to make a "goal" on the opposing side wins; the winner is determined by the best of six matches, or a draw match if both teams win three.

CONTACTS:
Tourist Consortium of the Pisa Area
P.O. Box 215
Pisa, 56100 Italy
39-50-8302-53; fax: 39-50-8302-43
www.pisae.it/Inglese/index_old.php
(c)

Holidays, Festivals, and Celebrations of the World Dictionary, Fourth Edition. © 2010 by Omnigraphics, Inc.