Annual Italy Events

Medieval Festival featuring a joust between the six neighborhoods - starting on Wednesday of the first week of August and running through the weekend is a series of events that recreate the medieval ambience of ancient life in this small, antique village. Costumes worn by the town's residents during this period have been studied and recreated in exact detail to be representative of the medieval periods in which they were originally worn. Groups of trained flag wavers compete with each other, parades in glorious epoch costumes pass down the streets to the rythym of drums, stalls offer food reminiscent of the days of knights and on Saturday, a magnificent jousting match begins. The Giostra della Quintana involves charging a seventeenth century-styled swinging one-armed manniquin (while on horseback and in full armor) with the objective of impaling a ring it is holding. With each success the rings diminish in circumference until a winner is determined. The six neighborhoods of the city spend a great deal of time and money to prepare for this event as the winning of the 'Giostra' is a matter of great honor between them. Events culminate on Sunday when the final tournaments decide the year's winner. Wine, song and good feelings flow freely throughout the period. First week of August.