This year, we are so fortunate to be in Cortona during the Joust of the Archidado, an annual celebration with events spread over 10 days. I have included a description below from a Cortona website:
“This costume festival re-enacts the wedding of Francesco Casali, lord of Cortona, to Antonia Salimbeni from Sienna, in 1397. To commemorate the couple, the crossbowmen of Cortona’s five ‘quintieri’ or districts compete in a crossbow (ballestero) competition, aiming at a target called ‘quintiere’. The winner is given the first prize, the Verretta d’Oro (golden crossbow dart). The event includes stalls selling mediaeval food, mediaeval dinners and entertainment typical of the mediaeval times. This costume festival re-enacts the wedding of Francesco Casali, lord of Cortona, to Antonia Salimbeni from Sienna, in 1397. To commemorate the couple, the crossbowmen of Cortona’s five ‘quintieri’ or districts compete in a crossbow (ballestero) competition, aiming at a target called ‘quintiere’. The winner is given the first prize, the Verretta d’Oro (golden crossbow dart). The event includes stalls selling mediaeval food, mediaeval dinners and entertainment typical of the mediaeval times.” Cortona © ammonet InfoTech 1998 – 2012.
That’s metal, not silk!!!
Bread making
Every part of the festival is a cultural tribute to the past and reenacted with great pomp and circumstance by present-day Cortonese. Two upcoming events, the wedding and the crossbow competition, each deserve their own post.
So far, we have attended the medieval market, seen flag throwers and fire eaters, and enjoyed the local musicians and locals dressed in medieval costumes. We bought the most amazing cheeses at the market, tried to master the bow and arrow, and watched in awe as the jesters, drummers, flag throwers and fires eaters skillfully performed.
Parmigiano!
A few amateurs got into the act as well!
The Pros!
Unlike any circus or Renaissance fair atmosphere, we feel privileged to be among the locals as they celebrate the history and legacies of their ancestors.
All in a day in Cortona!
Ciao,
Judy
nut cracker
Falcons
Blogging In Italy 
Everyone is looking like they are having fun! Archery might be the Gingerella’s new sport.
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Trying to fit an antique bow and arrow in my luggage, but the new shoes take up too much space!
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