The impressive Sferisterio di Macerata is a huge open air stadium in Macerata, Le Marche where the old Italian sport of Pallone col Bracciale was once played!
Stay in a gorgeous vacation rental in Le Marche where you can visit Sferisterio di Macerata and many other wonderful attractions in the area!
For nearly five centuries the Italian national sport of Pallone col Bracciale was played, dating back to the 15th century.
This ancient sport encompassed several variations and all originally used a small inflated ball called a ‘Pallone’. The modern day English word ‘balloon’ derives from this word.
This ball was struck back and forth between teams by means of a cylindrical piece of equipment worn on the forearm called a ‘Bracciale’. Points were scored in fifteens and tens such as tennis with a scoring system as follows: 15 – 30 – 40 – 50. Victory of twelve games would win the match.
Stay in a gorgeous vacation rental in Le Marche where you can visit Sferisterio di Macerata and many other wonderful attractions in the area!
For nearly five centuries the Italian national sport of Pallone col Bracciale was played, dating back to the 15th century.
This ancient sport encompassed several variations and all originally used a small inflated ball called a ‘Pallone’. The modern day English word ‘balloon’ derives from this word.
This ball was struck back and forth between teams by means of a cylindrical piece of equipment worn on the forearm called a ‘Bracciale’. Points were scored in fifteens and tens such as tennis with a scoring system as follows: 15 – 30 – 40 – 50. Victory of twelve games would win the match.
A player is called a pallonista and teams would vary in numbers according to whatever version of Pallone col Bracciale it was. A team had between 2-4 players and either played in a small compact court using the walls to bounce the ball off or with a net in the centre to hit the ball over to the opposing team. Other versions of Pallone col Bracciale saw it being played out in an open playing field such as that of Sferisterio di Macerata.
The people of Macerata loved Pallone col Bracciale so much that they saved up the money themselves and employed Ireneo Aleandri to design and build it. Sferisterio di Macerata comprises of a huge wall, 88 metres long and 18 metres high within which a line of arches supported by columns held a double row of spectator boxes.
The people of Macerata loved Pallone col Bracciale so much that they saved up the money themselves and employed Ireneo Aleandri to design and build it. Sferisterio di Macerata comprises of a huge wall, 88 metres long and 18 metres high within which a line of arches supported by columns held a double row of spectator boxes.
Sadly since the start of the 19th century, the popularity of Pallone col Bracciale went into decline, to be replaced for the most part by the modern game of football.
Today Sferisterio di Macerata has been the venue for the Sferisterio Opera Festival since 1921 and holds nearly 9000 spectators, 3,000 seated and 6,000 standing. For having such an unusual shape for music performances, it can actually boast of good acoustics.
Spectacular performances are held here throughout the months of July and August so why not book your ticket here to enjoy on your next Italian vacation!
Today Sferisterio di Macerata has been the venue for the Sferisterio Opera Festival since 1921 and holds nearly 9000 spectators, 3,000 seated and 6,000 standing. For having such an unusual shape for music performances, it can actually boast of good acoustics.
Spectacular performances are held here throughout the months of July and August so why not book your ticket here to enjoy on your next Italian vacation!
Photo credits
picture 2: Accurimbono / CC BY-SA 3.0;
picture 2: Accurimbono / CC BY-SA 3.0;