Some say chivalry has ended with the medieval age, and neither its morality nor its social code are not in fashion nowadays. There is no expiration date for the chivalry principals.
The citizens of Pisa stick to the second point of view. To commemorate the heroics of ancient times, local residents dress in 16th century Spanish costumes, sharpen their swords… and get into the massive historical re-enchantment. The last Saturday of June is the day when the battle begins and ends…
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History
The Gioco del Ponte, also known as the Game of the Bridge, is the latest edition of the recreated historical battle. The original game was called Mazzascudo, which means “protective shield” in Italian. In this game, two fractions were violently opposed to each other in Piazza dei Cavalieri. The battle was a presentation of the invincible citizens of Pisa who heroically defeated the Florentines, hated in the nation.
The game was suspended a few times due to cruel rules and violence on the battlefield. Once, it was canceled by the queen regent of Maria Luisa, who said:
For a game it is too much, for a war it is little.
The Second World War and the demolition of some regions of Ponte di Mezzo postponed Gioco del Ponte for some years in different periods of time. The game as it is played nowadays has existed since 1935. Students of the local college decided to resume the tradition, and, thus, Gioco del Ponte had become a successful and annual event. The number of team members has changed: instead of 11, 6 teams participate.
Teams
All the participants are divided into teams before the competition. As it was mentioned earlier, there are two parties – one from the North and one from the South of Arno, each consisting of six Magistracies.
Every Magistracy represents a separate district and is commanded by a Magistrate. The other members of the Magistracy’s administration are an Officer in charge and three Councilors of the Judiciary.
The Judiciaries are the organizing team themselves: in each team, there is a Captain and 20 Fighters. One of the fighters is a common thread between the leader of the team and its members.
Rules of Gioco del Ponte
There is a special technical jargon, used by the members of teams to communicate. For example, the word “empty” is used to indicate a moment when opponents, whose concentration is zero, should be attacked. Each Judicial branch develops its own jargon and signals, and only its members are aware of the true meaning of this cipher.
The game itself is reminiscent of a well-known tug of war. A match won’t end until a cart is pushed by one team towards the other’s territory. It is very important to know when to weaken the force, and when to increase it. One of the key strategies for the team to attack and win is slowly increasing the pressure of attack. By stretching out low to the ground synchronically, team members can get a few extra centimeters between them and their opponents.
Athletes have some benefits. To make the whole process less uncomfortable and to not put themselves at risk, participants can use special protective ammunition.
On your way to Gioco del Ponte: what else to see while visiting Pisa
Why would you limit yourself to only a day-long experience of living in the knight’s shoes? Battles were not the only important aspect of their lives.
Everybody knows the knights preferred an exquisite way of spending their leisure time. One of their lives’ essentials was haute cuisine, a worthy reward for the victorious. To try some good wine, travel from Pisa to the Tuscan Hills and take part in the Chianti Wine Tour. It will not only provide you with a wide variety of the world’s most exquisite beverages, but it will also reveal some interesting information about the wine and oil produced in this region, including receipts of production and a route back through the beautiful Tuscan countryside.
Another thing to see in Pisa is its iconic symbol, the Tower of Pisa. If you are looking for a less informational, yet more sightseeing experience, you can book your place in Cinque Terre and the Tower of Pisa Private Tour. Walk or sometimes ride a boat through Manarolla, Vernazza, and other regions of the city and concentrate on the landscape in front of you. It will definitely help you rethink the way you looked at knights and their everyday life before Gioco del Ponte.
Further information
The Gioco del Ponte will be held on the 25th of June on the Ponte di Mezzo, in Pisa, Italy. Keep the date in mind and don’t forget to check the information about the event: the exact details are to be updated.
