29 Jun 2013

Il Gioco del Ponte, the battle of the bridge, closes the celebrations of the Pisan June or Giugno Pisano.

Tuscany through my eyes: Week 31

Now that my project about Tuscany over the seasons is over, I have decided to start a new project: Tuscany through my eyes. Well, more or less… I am planning on publishing one or more photos of Tuscany every week, and not just some beautiful photos, but images that “match” the way I see my beautiful region at that time of the year. I will publish photos that I have taken and photos that I have not taken but I wish I had! 52 posts to show you Tuscany the way I see it and feel it. Here are the other posts in the series.

Week 31 – Il Gioco del Ponte – the battle of the bridge

The celebrations of Giugno Pisano are closed by “il Gioco del Ponte“, the battle of the bridge. The bridge in question is Ponte di Mezzo, where the teams of the various quarters of the city “battle” by pushing a very heavy cart placed on rails with their neck. It is a very hard thing to do but the contestants have “le physique du role”! They areĀ  big, sturdy men, who train all year round for this day.

Il gioco del ponte pisa

(Photo by photoniki1)

Gioco del Ponte Pisa

(Photo by Giulio Paolicchi)

Il Gioco del Ponte Pisa

Il Gioco del Ponte Pisa

(Photos by AroundTuscany)

This and last year, il gioco del ponte has been held after dark. It is preceded by a long and rich parade in period costumes with lots of characters reenacting the most glorious days of the city’s past.

gioco del ponte pisa

Gioco del Ponte Pisa

(Photos by Marius B)

Gioco del Ponte Pisa

(Photo by AroundTuscany)

If you plan on visiting Pisa during the June celebrations, come stay with us at our holiday apartment in Pisa!

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