GUALDO CATTANEO (Perugia)
Arrampicata (Renaissance era)
3 September
With its 'climb', Gualdo Cattaneo commemorates the attacks and sieges suffered over rime from the cities of Perugia, Foligno, Todi and Spoleto. The event consists of a historical parade with 120 participants in fifteenth-century costume and a contest between the three 'contrade' (neighbourhoods) of the town: Pieve, Rocca and Monte. A banger is let off to mark the start of a mad race up to the Rocca (fortress) in which a team of twelve per 'contrada' carry on their shoulders a wooden tower, each flying the fag of their quarter. The contest is won by whichever team arrives first on Piazza Grande in front of the steps of the townhall.
ASSISI (Perugia)
Cavalcata di Satriano (XII Century)
First weekend in September
This event marks the final return of San Francesco to Assisi. In September 1226 Francesco, gravely ill and under treatment in Bagnara near Nocera, was brought back to Assisi by a group of horsemen. The place where they stopped to rest on their way back was the Castle of Satriano. Here they were welcomed by the inhabitants, who shared with them everything they had. Every year, during the first weekend of September, the episode is commemorated by a group of riders in medieval clothes retracing the historic route from Nocera to Assisi.
VALFABBRICA (Perugia)
Autumn Festival - medieval era.
1st weekend in September
This festival celebrates the ancient medieval traditions through a rich series of events, among which there is the costume procession, drawing inspiration front the style of the 13th and 14th centuries, and then the horse-riding contests among teams from the areas of Pedicino, Badia and Osteria. They vie with each other at the 'Campo della Giostra' (jousting field) to win the contest of the rings and of the quintain, which concludes with the award of the banner.
FOLIGNO (Perugia)
Giostra della Quintana (XVII Century) 2nd Sunday in September
(See Giostra della Quintana - June)
GUALDO TADINO (Perugia)
Giochi delle Porte (Middle Ages)
Last Sunday in September
The event takes its origin from the 'Pallium decurrendum', a contest which was held from the 12th century onwards in honour of the Patron Saint Michael , the Archangel.
Today the gapes among the four gates - San Benedetto, San Donato, San Facondino and San Martino - are preceded by the historical procession on Saturday evening, in which nobles, artisans and common people parade round the town together with tableaux depicting allegories and ancient trades. On the Sunday afternoon is held the 'polio' with the donkey-cart races, races on donkeys ridden bareback, archery and catapult contests. The winning 'porta', besides winning the 'polio', has the right to burn the 'bastola', the legendary witch, enemy of the city.