EVENTS IN TUSCANY, JUNE

LUMINARIA DI SAN RANIERI, PISA - 16TH JUNE

Pisa is an atmospheric place to be during June, and the night of the 'Luminaria' is a particularly special one, when 50,000 plus candles and blazing torches illuminate and define the buildings on both sides of the Arno.

MONTHLY MARKETS/FAIRS

LUCCA has a large antiques market (centred around Piazza San Giusto and Piazza Antelminelli) on the third Sunday (and preceding Saturday) of every month. There is also a craft fair, again in and around Piazza San Giusto, on the last Sunday (and preceding Saturday) of every month.

AREZZO has an enormous antiques market on the first Sunday (and preceding Saturday) of every month, centred around Piazza Grande and Piazza Vasari.

FLORENCE has its antique market on the last Sunday of every month in Piazza dei Ciompi.

PISA, LAST SUNDAY OF THE MONTH

As with many of these intra-town traditions, the 'Gioco del Ponte' in Pisa is fiercely contested, with the pride of the various sectors of the town at stake. Mediaeval costumes, horseback parades and 12 teams of 20 people attempting to push a 7 ton 'trolley' onto the opposite side of the bridge.

CALCIO STORICO, FLORENCE

Saint John the Baptist is the patron saint of Florence, and on the day of San Giovanni, 24th June, there is a large fireworks display in Piazzale Michelangelo. The following Sunday sees the final of the 'ancient football' a hybrid of football, rugby and wrestling with a side order of mindless mayhem. The rules are non-existent and the winning team (there are four, representing the historic quarters of Florence) gets to eat the prize - a calf - in the subsequent street party.

AREZZO, LAST SUNDAY OF THE MONTH

More mediaeval custom and costume, this time in Arezzo, with the ancient Giostra di Saracino. Jousting, marching and costumed processions.