Bocce Beneath the Pines
In the shadiest part of the garden, beneath the quiet presence of the old pine trees, lies the bocce court: a simple and precious place to slow down, spend time together and rediscover the pleasure of a timeless Italian game.
Bocce is an ancient game, born from a simple and convivial gesture: throw, approach, measure, challenge one another lightly. For centuries it has belonged to village squares, courtyards and long days outdoors, especially in Italy and across the Mediterranean. It is a game of precision, patience and small silences, but also of laughter, friendly debate and shared drinks.
At Villa Oberti, bocce is played in the shade during the warmest hours, or at sunset, when the garden grows cooler and the whole house seems to settle into an even slower rhythm. A game soon becomes a small ritual: few rules, plenty of time, no hurry.
The Rules, Simply
Bocce can be played individually or in teams. The game begins by throwing the pallino, the small target ball. Players then take turns throwing their bocce, trying to place them as close to the pallino as possible.
At the end of each round, the player or team with the closest bocce scores. If several of their balls are closer to the pallino than the opponent’s best ball, they score more than one point. The game continues until the agreed score is reached, usually 12 or 13 points.
But winning is only part of the pleasure. Bocce is about judging distance, reading the ground, choosing the right throw, commenting on every shot and allowing yourself to be drawn into a game that belongs to the most convivial traditions of Italian life.
