SCHEGGINO (Perugia)

Difesa del Castello (XVI Century)

23 July

 Recently introduced this representation is inspired by an episode which took place in 1522, when the castles of the Valnerina rebelled against Spoleto, and the insurgents, led by Picozzo Brancaleone, on 23 July of the same year, besieged Scheggino which had remained loyal. On that occasion it was the task of the women and children to defend the castle victoriously in the absence of men, all busy with the harvest. This event from the ancient past is now recreated with characters in period costume in those parts of the town within the city walls and including the watch-tower and fortification.

PASSIGNANO SUL TRASIMENO (Perugia)

Palio delle Barche (XV-XVI Centuries)

Last Sunday in July

The 'Palio delle Barche' brings to life again the last act of the Perugia civil war. In 1495 a small army of the Oddi family, pursued by soldiers of the Baglioni and the Della Corgna, had to fee, carrying their boats on their shoulders, from the castle of Passignano. Today, on the day of the polio, 160 competitors front four quarters of the town - Centro Storico, Centro Nuovo, Oliveto and San Donato - compete with each other in a three-phase contest: the first rowing on the lake to the shore, the second on land, camping their boats through the alleys of the historic centre, lastly on the water again. Before the race there is a procession in fifteenth-century costume. During the week the quarters open up typical taverns where it is possible to try typical dishes of the Trasimeno area and see shows and representations in costume.

LIMIGIANO DI BEVAGNA (Perugia)

Polio del Sasso (XIV Century)

Month of July

In the ancient council statutes of Limigiano one can read how the castle was governed by podestà resenting the Trinci family. The town had in fact asked the latter for protection in the early 14^th century, and remained loyal until 1424. The 'Palio dello Sasso' draws inspiration from this past and is held every year on the occasion of the Sagra della Torta al Prosciutto' (a festival celebrating a local ham dish). The contest consists of a strange challenge between Limigiano and the nearby castles of t Torre del Colle, Collemancio and Castelbuono, who compete with each other to hit a series of targets by I throwing stones. The winner is the one who scores l most points. The festival closes with a historical parade which winds its way along the alleys of this evocative medieval town.