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Snakes and ladders in Italy

(09 Sep 2005)

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Keen to explore your competitive side abroad, but tired of the useful favourites of football and beach volleyball? Why not take part in a real life snakes and ladders championship?

Every November Mirano in Italy hosts a life-sized snakes and ladders tournament in the town square, in what is fast becoming one of Italy's more bizarre tourist attractions.

Prospective players may be please to hear that the "snakes" are in fact geese, although why geese are the obvious snake substitute remains a mystery.

Players compete on a giant board, climbing ladders and jumping over geese to be the first to complete the game, known as Giocco dell'Oca in Italy

Six teams traditionally compete, drawn from the six neighbourhoods of the town, with locals cheering on their team.

Giocoo dell'Oca has a long history in Italy, although not admittedly played in the same way as in Mirano. It was played during the Medici period and was popular for its simple rules and triumph of luck over skill.


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