# Boccia courts; outdoor and indoor A thematic map of the Atlas of Switzerland, the national atlas published by ETH Zurich. The map is drawn in the browser; this file describes it and lists its variants and links, but not the data values shown on the map. - Map: https://atlasderschweiz.ch/en/theme/boccia-courts-outdoor-and-indoor/ - Short title: Boccia courts - Map id: 324 - Categories: Tourism and Leisure time › Leisure facilities › Fitness parks - Keywords: Boules-type game, Leisure time, Precision sports - Published: 2016-06-03 - Last revised: 2026-04-01 - Content language: English - Other languages: [Deutsch](https://atlasderschweiz.ch/de/thema/boccia-anlagen-outdoor-und-indoor.md), [Français](https://atlasderschweiz.ch/fr/theme/boulodromes-dexterieur-et-dinterieur.md), [Italiano](https://atlasderschweiz.ch/it/tema/bocciodromi-outdoor-e-indoor.md) ## Description Boccia is a ball sport, the Italian version of *boules*, which pits two competitors or teams against each other. The aim of the game is to place your own balls as close to the smaller ball (pallino) that was thrown first. You also try to hit the opponent’s balls away from the pallino (the so-called Raffa throw or Volo throw). The game is played on a flat court, either outdoors or indoors. ### History of Boccia Boccia’s origins can be traced back to the Stone Age. In the 13th century, people played *"a Bocce"* throughout Europe. In 1369, due to its great popularity, boccia was banned by Charles V in France so that the people would devote themselves more to military exercises such as archery and crossbow shooting. The ban could not be enforced in the long run, and the game of boccia became very popular again. In 1629, boccia games were banned again in France because manufacturers of *paume rackets* (the precursors to tennis rackets) feared economic competition. However, the ban was widely ignored. Boccia players didn't have it easy in the rest of Europe either: In the 16th century, Henry VIII banned public boccia games in England because many people were neglecting their work and, in some cases, losing their possessions. Later, the ban was relaxed so that wealthy landowners could purchase a gaming license and organize boccia games on their own lawns. In Venice, Rome, and Florence, playing in public places was also banned out of concern for public order. Boccia is now widespread in Italy, Austria and Switzerland, and other versions of the boccia game such as *boules* or *pétanque* are played mainly in France. ### Boccia in Switzerland In Switzerland, boccia’s golden age spanned from the beginning of the century to the late 1970s. Back then, it was seen as a family affair and played an important role in the integration of Italian immigrants. Due to the expanse of culture and sport on offer today, boccia is experiencing problems in recruiting new players. The Swiss Boccia Association promotes and develops the sport of boccia throughout Switzerland. It is divided into three regions; by 2026, it has more than 1,300 licensed members and 94 clubs. ## Sources - Worpswede-Petanque (2026): [Geschichte der Kugelspiele](https://www.worpswede-petanque.de/geschichte/) - Schweizerischer Boccia-Verband (2026): [Schweizerischer Boccia-Verband](http://www.federbocce.ch/) - Bocciodromo Luzern (2015): [Boccia-Sport in der Schweiz - gestern, heute und morgen](https://www.bocciodromo-luzern.com/files/spezielaausgaberontaler2014boccia-sportschweiz.pdf) - SWR, Südwestrundfunk (2010): [Boccia - die Entstehung des Spiels](http://www.planet-schule.de/spielederwelt/spiele/boccia/entstehung.html) - Züricher Boccia Verband (2018): [Info und Regeln Boccia - Sport](https://zuercher-bocciaverband.ch/wp-content/uploads/Bocciaspiel.pdf) ## Data sources - Schweizerischer Boccia-Verband (2026): [Schweizerischer Boccia-Verband](http://www.federbocce.ch/) ## Data owners - [Atlas of Switzerland (AoS)](http://www.atlasderschweiz.ch/) - [Federbocce, Swiss Boccia Association](http://www.federbocce.ch/) ## Citation The terms of use ask to name the Atlas of Switzerland and the data owners, and to keep the source references in exports, screenshots and embeds. Cite the map as: > Atlas of Switzerland (2026): Boccia courts; outdoor and indoor. ETH Zürich. Map data © AoS, Federbocce, Swiss Boccia Association. https://atlasderschweiz.ch/en/theme/boccia-courts-outdoor-and-indoor/ ## Links The map opens at its full extent; a link cannot set the map position. - Map: https://atlasderschweiz.ch/en/theme/boccia-courts-outdoor-and-indoor/ - Short link, stays valid when the title changes: https://atlasderschweiz.ch/en/t/324/ - Side by side with another map: https://atlasderschweiz.ch/en/comparison/?lt=324&rt={id of the other map}&ru={u of the other map, or leave out} Embed in another website (allowed by the terms of use, as long as the source references stay visible): ```html ``` In the embed URL, `dm` sets what is shown: `e` the map with its title bar (default), `p` also the values of an object clicked on the map, `m` only the map with a button that opens it in the atlas. `ig=1` (default) lets the map react to scrolling and dragging only after a click into it, `ig=0` right away. The size can be changed in `style`. ## Related maps - [Bowling, by number of alleys](https://atlasderschweiz.ch/en/theme/bowling-by-number-of-alleys.md) (id 309, former edition, desktop atlas only) - [Minigolf courses; outdoor and indoor](https://atlasderschweiz.ch/en/theme/minigolf-courses-outdoor-and-indoor.md) (id 310) - [Rope courses and rope parks](https://atlasderschweiz.ch/en/theme/rope-courses-and-rope-parks.md) (id 316) For the use and citation of maps and data, see the [terms of use](https://atlasderschweiz.ch/en/terms-of-use/).