The Giugno Pisano in Tuscany
A unique experience in the heart of Pisa
The best month to visit Pisa? June, without any doubt. Not only for the beauty of the Arno river in the early summer sunsets, not only for the climate, not only for the nearby sea and the chance to go diving after visiting the Romanesque churches but above all for the Pisan June. In fact, this is a month full of anniversaries, historical events for the city that have turned into traditional festivals, re-enactments, exhibitions, exhibitions that let you know Pisa beyond the Tower.
Luminara di San Ranieri
The Luminara di San Ranieri falls every year on June 16: thousands and thousands of candles (almost one hundred thousand) are fixed on windows and on the doors of the palaces of the Arno river, the banks of the many bridges that overlook the river; at sunset it is their light that illuminates the city, a truly incredible spectacle that culminates with fireworks. The Luminara di San Ranieri is the party that brings together more than 100,000 people for one night, ready to celebrate on the Arno river and in the many squares where concerts, shows and street food are set up. To admire the light show reflected on the water, a walk along the Arno is a must, but the advice is to spend the rest of the party in Piazza delle Vettovaglie, the real center of the Pisan nightlife or in Piazza dei Cavalieri, with the historic facade of the Palazzo della Normale or the Leaning Tower with thousands of burning candles.
Palio of San Ranieri
The lights of the Luminara have just turned off and the city is still celebrating its patron saint with a historic regatta on the Arno waters in the afternoon of June 17th. The regatta takes place along a path of 1500 meters in vogue against the current, the boats used are inspired by the typical “Stefani frigates” of the Medici order of the Knights of Santo Stefano, the crew is made up of eight rowers, the helmsman and the assembler. It is the latter’s task to climb onto one of the 4 canapi that reach the top of a flagpole, placed at the finish line, and grab the blue palio, symbol of victory.
The Gioco del Ponte
At the time of the Maritime Republics, the Game of the Bridge was called the “game of mazzascudo”. Legends abound about its origins: a tradition of the carnival period, the evocation of an ancient battle; what is certain is that the last Saturday of June in Pisa is fought. The city is divided into Magistrates who take their name from the historic districts, on the Ponte di Mezzo the trolley is set up, a curious contraption that fighters must push on a sliding track towards Tramontana (the northern part of the city) or Mezzogiorno (the southern part ). The team that manages to push the opponent against their own side wins, often after long and grueling fights that can last even longer than an hour.
Although the flags of the Game flutter on the Bridge only one day a year the fans are rather turned on because the teams of fighters train throughout the year in their respective neighborhoods, the actual game is preceded by a historical procession in sixteenth-century clothes that parades through the Arno river.