Football
Football is a national passion throughout Italy. It takes priority
over food, religion and politics. In Florence, the citizens celebrate
their patron saint day, 24th June, with a historic football match
in medieval dress and even during this so-called ‘friendly’
match, passions can quickly boil over.
Florence’s national football team, the Serie A Fiorentina
, is among the best in Italy’s premier league. The team is
distinguished by its cardinal purple strip, earning it the nickname
La Viola (the violet). The team’s home ground
is the Artemio Franchi Stadium, Viale Manfredo Fanti
(telephone/fax number: (055) 587 858 or (055) 262 5537), and games
are played on alternate Sundays, from August to May.
Tickets are available for purchase online, at Caricentro, Via Ricasoli
9 (telephone number: (055) 293 434), or at the Toto booth in Piazza
della Reppubblica. Seats cost from €23 to €113.50.
Florence’s second football team is Rondinella Impruneta
, with a home ground at Stadio ‘Due Stade’, Via Ximenez
(telephone number: (055) 232 0068). The team plays in the C/2 Girove
B League.
Golf
The hills of ‘Chiantishire’ are not ideal for golf but
visitors can test their handicap at two of the local clubs. The
first, Golf
Club Montelupo, Fattoria di Fibbiana, Via Le Piagge (telephone
number: (0571) 541 004), offers a tight course of nine holes right
on the banks of the Arno, 26km (16 miles) from the city centre.
The second, Golf
Club Ugolino, Via Chiantigiana (telephone number: (055) 230
1009), is an 18-hole course, just ten kilometres (six miles) from
Florence and romantically located in an olive grove and is only
open in the winter. Green fees start at €57.
Fitness
Centres
Indoor Club, Via Bardazzi 15 (telephone number: (055) 430 275),
has a swimming pool, sauna, weights and classes. It is open Monday-Thursday
1030 hrs-2300 hrs, Friday 1030 hrs-2200 hrs and Saturday 1030 hrs-2000
hrs. One-day membership costs from €15.50.
Palestra Gymnasium, Via Palazzuolo 49 (telephone
number: (055) 293 308), has weights, aerobics, step classes and
karate. Opening time are Monday-Friday 1000 hrs-2200 hrs and Saturday
1000 hrs -1800 hrs. One-day membership costs from €10.50.
Pelestra
Nonidical, Via Mannelli 183 (telephone number: (055) 572 618),
is open 1000 hrs-2200 hrs during the week and 1000 hrs-1800 hrs
on Saturday, offering body building, fitness classes and cardio
fitness programmes.
Rowing
Societa Canottieri Firenze, Lungarno A M Luisa De’Medici (telephone
number: (055) 282 1010), is a rowing club on the Arno. One-month
membership costs from €62.
Tennis
Public tennis courts are situated at the Circolo Carraia, Via Monti
alle Croci (telephone number: (055) 234 6353). Courts cost €13.50
per hour and are open 0800 hrs-2300 hrs. Other courts are at Circolo
di Tennis, Via Scandicci Alto (telephone number: (055) 252 696),
and Circolo del Tennis, Via dela Robbia Imprunta (telephone number:
(055) 201 2111). |
