BEVAGNA (Perugia)
Primavera Medievale (medieval spring festival) From the 2nd half of April to the 1st half of May
The Primavera Medievale' is all event linked to the better-known 'Mercato delle Gaite' (market of the districts), which takes place in June. The festival in fact offers a spring version of some moments commemorating file Middle Ages through a faithful reproduction of the period between 1250 and 1350. Particularly evocative are the craft workshops with which each 'gaita' (quarter of the town) recreates the craft which is its particular symbol: paper-making (San Giovanni), calligraphy (San Pietro), weaving (Santa Maria) and tile 'bottega delle monete' (coin-shop) (San Giorgio). The beautiful covered market in Piazza Filippo Silvestri hosts the exhibition of products and clothes of IV, century style. During the whole period there are courses in medieval cooking, weaving and archery. There is a supporting programme of concerts and lectures, and file typical medieval banquet.
ASSISI (Perugia)
Calendimaggio (XIII-XV Centuries)
1st Thursday, Friday and Saturday after 1st May The festival of 'Calendimaggio' commemorates' the bitter struggle, lasting from the 14th to the 16th century between two factions of the city that were fighting for power: the 'Pane de Sopra' (upper part) and the 'Parte de Sotto' (lower part). Now the two ‘Parti' no longer meet in violent clashes but with ate suspicion' brought on by the arrival of spring. There are competitions in music, song, dance and theatre, exhibitions, tournaments of archers. crossbowmen, ceremonial fag-wavers and moves of medieval life. The event begins on Thursday with the blessing of the banners of the two sides ad the symbolic handing over of the keys of the city to the 'Maestro di Campo', the guardian for three Jets of the colourful scarf which is given as a prize n the winning faction. The next day the festival continues with medieval games, scenes and parades in period costume . On the final day, at the end of the contests, 'Madonna Primavera' is elected, chosen from among the loveliest girls of Assisi, and she v mires her prize from the side which has totalled the highest points in the various competitions
FOSSATO DI VICO (Perugia)
Festa degli Statuti 2nd a Sunday in May
On Sunday 13 th, May 1386 the ancient statutes of the castle of Fossato were presented in a public ceremony in front of the townhall. The 'publicatio statutorum' is today remembered in two separate phases: the Arenga', or election o f the town authorities and other figures, and the publication of the statutes. The 'Arenga', which is a prelude to the main celebration, is summoned on the last Saturday of March and is open to all stale heads of family in the area, who are called together on the castle square in the presence of the 'podestà' (governor) of the previous year. It is, however, on the second Sunday in May that the evocative presentation of the Statutes is held, together with a whole series of events such as historical processions, traditional craft shops, typical dishes, medieval games and markets.
NARNI (Terni)
Corsa all'Anello (XIV Century) 2nd Sunday of May
The 'Corsa all'Anello' dates back to the year 1371, and is held on the occasion of the celebrations for the patron saint of the city, San Giovenale. The joust, described in medieval statutes, consisted of a test of skill in which young riders of the city vied with each other in running a lance through a silver ring suspended from two cords strung between the houses at the beginning of Via Maggiore. Today nine riders, three for each neighbourhood - Fraporta, Mezule and Santa Maria - try their skills in an enthralling chase on the Campo dei Giochi of San Gerolamo. The event is full of suspense. During the race, in fact, each participant crosses the path of his opponent on an elliptical track, and has to run his lance through three rings in succession, conscious of the fact that whoever is first to run through the last ring will bring down that of his opponent. On the evening before the festival there is a historical procession in 1411, century costume through the streets of the historic centre decorated with flags and lit by torches.
Sbarco di San Vittore (Roman period)
2 Sunday of May
St. Victor, patron saint of exiles and of the town of Otricoli, is celebrated every year with a captivating re-evocation. It tells the story of the Saint, who, after refusing to do military service despite the order of Emperor Maximilian, was tortured with molten lead. After escaping he was discovered and decapitated. In the church of Santa Maria di Otricoli there is a painting on wood depicting the martyrdom scene. It is thus that on the feast day of the Patron Saint the mooring of Victor's boat' on the banks of the Tiber is remembered, a scene lit up for the occasion with torches and fireworks. The celebrations conclude with a representation of the martyrdom at the ancient Roman theatre.
The Historic Procession of S. Rita (medieval period) 21-22 May
On the night of 21 May the population of Cascia celebrates its Saint with a traditional torch-light procession. It begins at dusk when the town and the valley of the river Corno are illuminated by thousands of lights. According to legend the death of Rita was announced by bells ringing of their own accord. At that sound people came out in the night with torches. Today, on the morning of 22 May, from the nearby Roccaporena, Rita's native village, a procession in her honour winds its way evoking the most significant episodes of the Saint's life. This is an ancient devotional practice deriving from the pilgrimages which were once made by the local population to give homage to the Saint.
Palio della Balestra (medieval)
Last Sanday in May
The 'patio della balestra' conjures up the medieval tourmanens of old, linked to the festivals in honour of St.Ubald, protector of Gubbio. This trial of arms Amts back to the 12th century when there emerged various military corps specially trained in the use of tie crossbow, a weapon which appears in Gubbio hike scenes at the close of the feudal period. Every her Commune had its own squad of crossbowmen, whose task was to escort and defend the city magistrates. The tournament, which is held on Piazza Grande. consists of a shooting contest, with the ancient Italian-style crossbow, between the bowmen of Gubbio and those of San Sepolcro. Present at the contest are the Consul, the Constable and the authorities. Afterwards there follows a historical procession in medieval costumes along the torch-lit city streets, and a ceremonial flag-waving demonstration by the Gubbio 'Sbandieratori.
Ben Venga Maggio (Middle Ages)
Month of May
Ben Venga Maggio' is a great and well organized festival linked to the cult of the Patron Saint Nicholas which takes place on the 9th of that month. During the course of the festivities, apart from the solemn religious procession, medieval village life is recreated. For twelve days the historic centre is populated with jugglers, jesters, ladies and gentlemen, and animated by concerts, dances, fairs, gastronomic appointments and firework displays. The festival finishes with a procession in the historic centre and with the crossbow contest between the neighbourhoods of Rocca, Torre and Tre Fontane. The historical procession commemorates the liberation of the Castello di Collescipoli and its territories from vassalage to the Counts Spada of Terni. The liberation took place on 22 November 1564 thanks to Pope Paul IV.