Sport
Football is a national passion in Italy. It takes priority over food, politics and religion. In Florence, the citizens celebrate their patron saint day (24 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 (website: www.fiorentina.it), 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 (tel/fax: (055) 571 324), and games are played on alternate Sundays, from September to May. Tickets are available at Chiosco degli Sportivi just off Piazza della Reppubblica, or from tabaccheria licensed by Lottomatica, or at cafes Bar Marisa and Bar Studio next to the Artemio Franchi. Seats cost from 18 to 130. Florence’s second football team is Rondinella Impruneta (website: www.rondinella-impruneta.it), with a home ground at Stadio ‘Due Stade’, Via Ximenez (for information, call the team coffee shop tel: (055) 218 606). The team plays in the D Girone E League.
Fitness Centres: Indoor Club, Via Bardazzi 15 (tel: (055) 430 275 or 430 703), has a sauna, swimming pool, weights and classes. It is open Monday-Thursday 1030-2300, Friday 1030-2200 and Saturday 1030-2000. One-day membership costs 15.50. Palestra Gymnasium, Via Palazzuolo 49 (tel: (055) 293 308; website: www.fol.it/gymtraining), has weights, aerobics, step classes and karate. It is open Monday-Friday 1000-2200 and Saturday 1000-1800. One-day membership costs 10.50. Pelestra Nonidical, Via Mannelli 183 (tel: (055) 572 618; website: www.nordical.it), is open 1000-2200 during the week and 1000-1800 on Saturday, offering body building, fitness classes and cardio fitness programmes.
Golf: The hills of ‘Chiantishire’ are not ideal for golf but visitors can test their handicap at two local clubs. The first, Golf Club Montelupo, Fattoria di Fibbiana, Via Le Piagge (tel: (0571) 541 004; website: www.golfmontelupo.it), 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 (tel: (055) 230 1009; website: www.golfugolino.it), is an 18-hole course, just 10km (6 miles) from Florence and romantically located in an olive grove. Green fees start at 60 and a handicap below 36 is necessary. It is closed on Mondays from Nov-Mar. More information on golfing in Florence is available online (website: www.golfinginflorence.it).
Rowing: Societa Canottieri Firenze, Lungarno A M Luisa De’Medici (tel: (055) 282 1010; website: www.canottierifirenze.it), is a rowing club on the Arno. One-month membership costs approximately 62.
Tennis: Public tennis courts are situated at the Circolo Carraia, Via Monti alle Croci (tel: (055) 234 6353). Courts cost 13.50 per hour and are open 0800-2300. Other courts are at Circolo di Tennis, Via Scandicci Alto (tel: (055) 252 696), and Circolo del Tennis, Via dela Robbia Imprunta (tel: (055) 201 2111).
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Sport