The Gioco del Ponte parade in Pisa

General information

DurationDestinationDeparture
3 days and 2 nights
Italy (Pisa)
Italy (Pisa)

Description

Weekend in Pisa for the famous "Gioco del Ponte"!


From 28 to 30 June, enjoy these days!

Program

Day 1:
Arrive independently in the city of the Leaning Tower in the early afternoon and settle into your hotel.
Pisa welcomes you!
You will have a chance to start discovering the historical, architectural and artistic wonders this city has to offer. It is a true open-air museum.

From Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II, not before admiring Keith Haring's masterpiece "Tuttomondo" a stone's throw away, you can cross the shopping street until you reach Ponte di Mezzo.
Every glimpse of the city deserves to be immortalized!

You will notice that the city is adorned with the banners and decorations of the Gioco del Ponte, is a historical re-enactment event that takes place on the last Saturday of the month of June and consists in two basic moments: the parade of the historical procession along the Lungarni and the battle on the Ponte di Mezzo.

It begins with the historical procession and then continues with the Game of the Bridge, which involves a battle between the city's two historical teams: Tramontana and Mezzogiorno.

The Tramontana team represents the neighborhoods of: Santa Maria, San Francesco, San Michele, Mattaccini,
Calci and Sartiri. That of Mezzogiorno, on the other hand, the neighborhoods of: St. Anthony, St. Martin, St. Mark, Lions, Dragoons and Dolphins.
The victory goes to the team that, by pushing the opponents' cart to the opposite end of the running rail, remains master of the bridge.

In the evening, you will have dinner in one of the typical restaurants with a menu of traditional Pisan dishes and excellent wine. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 2:
Drum roll...let the day of the Gioco del Ponte begin!
The city will be in celebration since morning!
After breakfast, our guide will impart to you all his knowledge and insight into the city's main attractions. You will have the opportunity to admire the jewels of the Piazza dei Miracoli and the iconic Leaning Tower and the adjacent Piazza dei Cavalieri, which houses the Palazzo della Carovana, formerly the Palazzo degli Anziani now home to the prestigious Scuola Normale Superiore, the Palazzo dell'Orologio and the Church of Santo Stefano dei Cavalieri.

At the end of the visit, your guide will drop you off directly at the restaurant we have chosen for you, where a rich menu of dishes related to the Pisan culinary tradition awaits you, accompanied by excellent local wines.
The afternoon will be at your entire disposal to enjoy the atmosphere of the Gioco del Ponte.

At 6 p.m. the historical procession is scheduled to start from Guerrazzi Square (Mezzogiorno) and Largo Parlascio (Tramontana) with the arrival on the Ponte di Mezzo.
This will be followed by the declaration of intent by the ambassadors of the two Parties and the blessing of the ranks and insignia. The figures will then return to their respective quartering grounds. As per tradition, the municipal palaces, Gambacorti and Pretorio, and the Ponte di Mezzo will be adorned with renewed scenic decorations.
At 7 p.m. the Battle on the Bridge contested between the two teams will begin, the objective of which is to advance until the enemy faction's flag falls.
Free dinner and overnight stay.

Day 3:
Breakfast and check-out. You may choose to independently visit the city one last time and make your final purchases before departing to your home.

From € 230,00 per person

Price includes

2 nights' accommodation with breakfast included
Entry ticket to the event with a seat in the stands
3-hour guided tour
1 lunch in a restaurant
1 dinner in a restaurant

Price does not include

Meals not listed in the program
Extras
Anything else not expressly described in the section "Price includes"

Itinerary

Day Overnight Itinerary highlights
1 4 Stars or similarPisa   Pisa - Pisa
2 4 Stars or similarPisa
3   Pisa - Pisa

Accommodations provided in each place

Place
Pisa4 Stars