Gioco del Mulino | Calci

The game takes place on Sunday 6 September and forms part of the ‘Settembre Calcesano’ events. It is contested between eight districts: Castelmaggiore Tre Colli, Pontegrande, Castello, Pieve, Gabella, Corte, Nicosia and Montemagno San Lorenzo.

Each district is made up of three millers, who compete in a test of strength by turning the shafts attached to Verrucano millstones. One team advances and one retreats; the losing team is doused with flour, whilst the winners are awarded the ‘Fama Alata’.

The Historical Procession sets off at 4.30 pm from the Town Hall, with the blessing of the flags in Piazza Garibaldi. This is followed by a flag-waving display and the start of the Gioco del Mulino. Free admission

The game was established in 1982 to mark Calci’s participation in the Gioco del Ponte, which takes place in Pisa on the last Saturday in June. It is preceded by a historical procession commemorating Calci’s past as a centre for milling, when mills and oil presses were in operation in the mid-20th century, and its links with the Republic of Pisa