Gioco del Ponte

The Gioco del Ponte, or "Battle for the Bridge," in Pisa, Tuscany, Italy, goes back to the 13th century. Following a medieval procession, two teams in full medieval costume take part in a traditional competition which involves a reversal of the usual tug-of-war: about 20 or 30 men from each team line up behind a mechanism on rails and push. The first team to make a "goal" on the opposing side wins; the winner is determined by the best of six matches, or a draw match if both teams win three. More...

The Game of the Bridge
Il Gioco del Ponte

The Gioco del Ponte, disputed in the last Sunday in June, it is undoubtedly the event the Pisans feel most strongly about.
It is a historical re-evocation, where elements of folklore fuse with the proud warrior tradition of the Parties, who fight for possession of the bridge, no longer with maces shields and ‘targoni’ (an instrument in wood still carried by the combatants during the procession, it is offensive and defensive at the same time, spreading out and rounded off at the top, sharp and pointed at the bottom) but challenging each other in a trial of strength which consists in pushing a heavy trolling (seven tons) set on tracks fifty meters long. The final victory goes to the Party which has won the greater number of battles, pushing the trolley into the enemy field and knocking over the staff with the banner with the colors of the enemy party.


http://www.pisaonline.it/Pisa/eventi/e-giocodelponte.htm