After the Olympic success and medals on TV, fencing takes the stage among the public.
On Sunday, September 29th, from 3 to 4 PM, in the Chimney Courtyard inside the recently renovated Manifattura Tabacchi (Via delle Cascine 35), children and teenagers can try fencing for free with foil, epee, and saber under the guidance of instructors from the historic Roberto Raggetti Fencing Club of Florence.
The initiative is organized thanks to a recent collaboration between the gym on Via Arcangelo Corelli 19 and Bottega Biologica, a shop selling bulk, zero-mile, and fair-trade products located right inside Manifattura Tabacchi.
This season, the shop has become the Official Supplier of the fencing club.
The free trial session will last one hour, and reservations are required via WhatsApp at +39 340-740.62.94.
“The event is aimed at children and teenagers aged 6 to 18, offering them a chance to discover a sport they’ve likely only seen on TV, perhaps during the recent Paris Olympics,” explains Filippo Pini, founder and owner of Bottega Biologica, which opened in 2023. “At the end of the trial, the Raggetti club will provide information about the new season, last year’s achievements, and upcoming goals, introducing all the instructors.”
Afterward, participants will move to the Bottega Biologica store for a refreshment featuring “bio” products from Tuscan farms.
Bottega Biologica is located at Via delle Cascine 35, building B5. It is a space where familiarity meets a strong focus on respecting raw materials (genuine products), the systems in which they are produced (without the use of chemicals), and support for small local farms.
Everything is certified “bio” because, as Filippo Pini explains, “only this way do we protect both the earth and our bodies.”
Inside the store, you can find many bulk, zero-mile, and fair-trade products: seasonal fruit and vegetables; bread made from ancient grains; Tuscan eggs from “musical farms”; a selection of cheeses and meats; bulk detergents; personal care products; bulk pasta, rice, legumes, and dried fruits; vegan products; artisanal croissants, cookies, and plant-based drinks; “grandmother-style” jams and preserves; wines from the Etruscan coast and Chianti; and beers made with mountain water from Pian della Mussa.
The supply agreement with the Raggetti gym includes discounts on product purchases for families of fencing club members. Additionally, the shop supplies “bio” food twice a week directly to the gym, so coaches and athletes can fuel their bodies with the best “fuel” possible.
For more information:
informazioni@bottegabiologica.it
The Raggetti Fencing Club operates out of the Il Barco gym, with qualified instructors and certified technicians conducting training for children and teenagers every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 5 to 8 PM and every Tuesday and Thursday from 5 to 9 PM.
Founded in 1908, Raggetti was the first fencing club established in Florence. Over more than a century, it has nurtured fencers of national and international standing.
The club’s medal record includes 90 golds, 33 silvers, and 34 bronzes across the Olympics, World Cups, European, Italian, absolute, military, and category championships. It has also been awarded the CONI Gold Star for Sporting Merit and is registered with UNASCI (National Union of Centenary Italian Associations).
For more information: www.raggetti.it
Fencing as a Sport
Fencing is practiced with three distinct weapons: foil, saber, and epee, each differing in shape and rules. Both men and women can practice all three specialties.
Foil
The youngest fencers usually start with this weapon, which can only score with the tip. It is considered the best for learning fundamental actions. The valid target is the torso, covered by a conductive jacket. The head, arms, and legs are non-valid targets. In the event of a double hit, the referee applies the “convention,” a set of rules based on duel logic, awarding the point to the first attacker, the one who parries and ripostes, or the one whose weapon is “in line” (arm extended with the tip threatening the valid target) before the opponent’s attack begins.
Saber
This specialty also follows the “convention,” but the valid target is broader, including the entire upper body. Hits to other areas of the body are not counted. The saber allows strikes with the entire blade—tip and edge. It is the most dynamic and fast-paced weapon, ideal for those with a lively and aggressive temperament.
Epee
This weapon scores only with the tip, and the entire body is a valid target. There is no “convention”; the point is awarded to the first fencer to hit. In the case of a double hit within 40-50 milliseconds, both fencers are awarded a point. It is the most mature and contemplative specialty, preserving many characteristics of the traditional duel.
