Arianna Cavalensi
Arianna Cavalensi

Il Gioco del Ponte. Pisa, Italy. June 28, 2025

The Gioco del Ponte is an historical reenactment held every June in the town of Pisa (IT) on the Ponte di Mezzo, where the city’s two rival factions, Mezzogiorno and Tramontana, divided by the Arno River. The origins of the Game are linked to the Mazzascudo, an ancient military tournament established by the Republic of Pisa in the Middle Ages to train young men for war. In it, two factions (Gallo and Gazza), made up of armed companies, would engage in ritual combat using maces and shields. The armor was elaborate, and the goal was to conquer the opponent’s territory. Nowdays, the Gioco del Ponte is celebrated with a historical parade featuring over 700 participants, and a symbolic battle held on the Ponte di Mezzo, where the rival factions clash by pushing a cart.

Il Gioco del Ponte. Pisa, Italy. June 28, 2025

The Gioco del Ponte is an historical reenactment held every June in the town of Pisa (IT) on the Ponte di Mezzo, where the city’s two rival factions, Mezzogiorno and Tramontana, divided by the Arno River. The origins of the Game are linked to the Mazzascudo, an ancient military tournament established by the Republic of Pisa in the Middle Ages to train young men for war. In it, two factions (Gallo and Gazza), made up of armed companies, would engage in ritual combat using maces and shields. The armor was elaborate, and the goal was to conquer the opponent’s territory. Nowdays, the Gioco del Ponte is celebrated with a historical parade featuring over 700 participants, and a symbolic battle held on the Ponte di Mezzo, where the rival factions clash by pushing a cart.