Simposio etrusco (Etruscan Symposium) " Ladispoli. Here you are. You have seen Rome and have been able to admire the traces of its glorious past. What about going a little bit further back in time and seeing with your own eyes what were the habits and lifestyle of another major population that, having reached the peak of its civilization before Rome, actually gave a huge contribution to the development of Rome's architecture, art and language? We are speaking of the Etruscans. The town of Ladispoli, which is of Etruscan origin, organizes every year, in August, an incredibly interesting event to recall its historical background. Everything is arranged in such a way as to represent people and situations as they would have been in Etruscan times: from the plays or ceremonies re-enacted to the dressing style and make-up of performers, from the accurate setting to all other details. You have to see it to believe it!
Giostra di Sant'Agapito (Tournament of Sant'Agapito) - Palestrina. If you like to see medieval tournaments re-enacted in a blaze of joyful colours amid a cheering crowd of supporters encouraging the athletes competing for their ward, you cannot afford to miss the tournament that is held every year in August in Palestrina. It consists of a number of contests intended to test the skills of the participants, the winner among them being awarded a prize and his ward retaining the title for the year. The real purpose of this event, of course, is to keep old traditions alive, while allowing people to relax and enjoy themselves in a lively and uninhibited context.
Palio delle Contrade (Palio of the Wards) - Canale Monterano. Several centuries ago the life of towns and villages in Italy, as much as anywhere else in Europe, when not at war, used to be marked by tournaments in which brave knights would show their prowess at horse riding, duelling and archery. Things being somewhat different these days, those knights have been replaced " at least in this town " by young men grouped in teams of four, who compete with other teams in a race where they have to cart a heavy vat on their backs at full tilt. In addition, the contest is preceded by a fabulous procession which parades through the streets in splendid medieval costumes designed and sewn by the skilful hands of the older ladies of the town.
Festa dell'Assedio (Festivity of the Siege) - Bracciano. Not unnaturally, you will be surprised to learn that the people of Bracciano celebrate the anniversary of a siege, but they have their good reasons for doing so. Back in 1501, Cesare Borgia, a brother of the notorious Lucrezia Borgia, gave up his cardinal robe and moved with an army against Bracciano that at the time was under the control of another famous Roman family, the Orsini. He failed in his attempt to take the town after a siege and the festivity is intended to recall the various heroic feats of the natives of Bracciano. Since the town is located next to the lake by the same name, the competitions and other games take place on the lake, but, on dry land, there are plenty of opportunities to taste local delicacies.
Sagra delle Fettuccine al Tartufo (Festival of the fettuccine with Truffle) - Civitella Cesi (Blera). Have you ever tasted fettuccine? If you haven't, you should definitely try this type of pasta that is extremely popular in central Italy. Civitella Cesi, a town not too far away from Rome, holds a fettuccine festival in mid-August that is somewhat unique in the way it is arranged. All customers sit at the same table that is immeasurably long and stretches along the streets of the town. The "fettuccine" is savoured with local truffle and the result is superb. In addition top-quality meat from nearby farms is served, together with other treats, to gourmets delight. Another highlight of the event is a historical procession, followed by a horse race - the latter being rather unique in its kind, since the horses race without their jockeys!
Corteo Storico di Montefiascone (Historical Procession of Montefiascone) - Montefiascone. The town is known nowadays for the excellent quality of its wines, and this was discovered in the Middle Ages when the servant of a bishop advised his master that he had found in this town the best wine he had ever tasted. The bishop was so happy after trying some of the wine that, instead of continuing his trip to Rome, he stopped at Montefiascone, where he died 2 years later, possibly as a result of his lack of temperance! As a token of his appreciation of the local wine, he left all his possessions to the town, with the sole request that every year, on the anniversary of his death, a whole barrel of wine be poured on his grave. In order to re-enact the bishops arrival, the town organizes every year a procession in medieval costume, with numerous participants representing the bishop, the feudal authorities and all their retinue. At the conclusion of the parade, flag wavers display all their ability in flag handling and throwing, while musicians play tunes of particular historical significance.
Giostra di Sant'Agapito (Tournament of Sant'Agapito) - Palestrina. If you like to see medieval tournaments re-enacted in a blaze of joyful colours amid a cheering crowd of supporters encouraging the athletes competing for their ward, you cannot afford to miss the tournament that is held every year in August in Palestrina. It consists of a number of contests intended to test the skills of the participants, the winner among them being awarded a prize and his ward retaining the title for the year. The real purpose of this event, of course, is to keep old traditions alive, while allowing people to relax and enjoy themselves in a lively and uninhibited context.
Palio delle Contrade (Palio of the Wards) - Canale Monterano. Several centuries ago the life of towns and villages in Italy, as much as anywhere else in Europe, when not at war, used to be marked by tournaments in which brave knights would show their prowess at horse riding, duelling and archery. Things being somewhat different these days, those knights have been replaced " at least in this town " by young men grouped in teams of four, who compete with other teams in a race where they have to cart a heavy vat on their backs at full tilt. In addition, the contest is preceded by a fabulous procession which parades through the streets in splendid medieval costumes designed and sewn by the skilful hands of the older ladies of the town.
Festa dell'Assedio (Festivity of the Siege) - Bracciano. Not unnaturally, you will be surprised to learn that the people of Bracciano celebrate the anniversary of a siege, but they have their good reasons for doing so. Back in 1501, Cesare Borgia, a brother of the notorious Lucrezia Borgia, gave up his cardinal robe and moved with an army against Bracciano that at the time was under the control of another famous Roman family, the Orsini. He failed in his attempt to take the town after a siege and the festivity is intended to recall the various heroic feats of the natives of Bracciano. Since the town is located next to the lake by the same name, the competitions and other games take place on the lake, but, on dry land, there are plenty of opportunities to taste local delicacies.
Sagra delle Fettuccine al Tartufo (Festival of the fettuccine with Truffle) - Civitella Cesi (Blera). Have you ever tasted fettuccine? If you haven't, you should definitely try this type of pasta that is extremely popular in central Italy. Civitella Cesi, a town not too far away from Rome, holds a fettuccine festival in mid-August that is somewhat unique in the way it is arranged. All customers sit at the same table that is immeasurably long and stretches along the streets of the town. The "fettuccine" is savoured with local truffle and the result is superb. In addition top-quality meat from nearby farms is served, together with other treats, to gourmets delight. Another highlight of the event is a historical procession, followed by a horse race - the latter being rather unique in its kind, since the horses race without their jockeys!
Corteo Storico di Montefiascone (Historical Procession of Montefiascone) - Montefiascone. The town is known nowadays for the excellent quality of its wines, and this was discovered in the Middle Ages when the servant of a bishop advised his master that he had found in this town the best wine he had ever tasted. The bishop was so happy after trying some of the wine that, instead of continuing his trip to Rome, he stopped at Montefiascone, where he died 2 years later, possibly as a result of his lack of temperance! As a token of his appreciation of the local wine, he left all his possessions to the town, with the sole request that every year, on the anniversary of his death, a whole barrel of wine be poured on his grave. In order to re-enact the bishops arrival, the town organizes every year a procession in medieval costume, with numerous participants representing the bishop, the feudal authorities and all their retinue. At the conclusion of the parade, flag wavers display all their ability in flag handling and throwing, while musicians play tunes of particular historical significance.
About the Author:
Cristiano Rubbi, is a traveller with a worldwide experience and he is happy to share with you the knowledge he has acquired over the years of travelling. Find Tips and FAQ on his WEBSITE. Need more suggestions on how to find festivities in Italy? Send him an email to info@niceandeasytravel.it. Join his FORUM.
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