The Wedding
On the last Saturday night of the Giostra, the Cortonese recreate the 1397 wedding of Francesco Casali of Cortona and Antonia Salimbeni of Siena. For 10euro/person, you can buy a seat in the stands, which we thankfully did as the event lasted for several hours. The costumes of the different regions were beautifully displayed as the royalty from each area was presented.
Bride and groom
The ceremony
Some of the entertainment
The Crossbow Competition
On Sunday, the final day of Giostra, the festival celebrates the previous night’s marriage with a crossbow competition. Practice begins at 11 AM, but the actual competition, in full costume, begins at 4PM. Once again, the pageantry is extensive, with a parade of important people from each area of Cortona, as well as the drummers, buglers, flag throwers, etc.
There are five quintiere, or areas of Cortona, and each is represented by specific symbols and colors in the competition. Our house is in the S. Andrea quintiere, so our colors are green and yellow. Each team consists of a Maestro di Campo, or Field Master, and two Balestrieri, or dart shooters. The competition lasts four rounds. Amazingly, the Maestro from our area was none other than our neighbor, Vincenzo, the one who skillfully parks the too big car in the too small garage. He chooses an arrow from a trunk, and he and the shooter ascend the platform. After the Balestrieri carefully sets the crossbow, the arrow is put in place by the Maestro, and amid a hushed crowd, the arrow is shot at a target about 20 meters, or almost 66 feet away.
Our Neighbor Maestro Vincenzo and the Balestrieri
Judges and other officials after each round
After each round, the judges move in to calculate the results. Points are awarded for each round, and with significant drum roll, they are announced and posted.
This year, two teams tied, so they alone competed in a fifth round. And guess what? S. Andrea won! Must be all that close call parking that makes Vincenzo such a great Maestro! The winner receives a golden arrow, or verretta, then all involved parade through the city.
Golden Arrow
The Winning Quintiere
The Giostra dell’Archidado…and experience we will long remember. Thanks, Cortona!
Ciao,
Judy
Blogging In Italy 
Wow – how intersting !! Really wonderful – thanks for sharing so beautifully !
Love and Miss you – hugs to Benita xoxox
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It truly was interesting and so wonderful to learn about the culture of this area we love so much! You need to visit us!!
Miss you all too! xo
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Hey, how come Len wasn’t allowed into the crossbow competition? From his photo on the single bow, it looked like he had the required athletic skill. Does anyone else think it a little odd in juxtaposing a wedding and a crossbow competition?
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First, I think he needs to be a native and we don’t qualify yet!
Second, only you would ask!
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What a great time to be in Cortona, the festivities look like fun.
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Your post, The Wedding and Crossbow Competition: Cortona Giostra Blogging In Italy, is really well written and insightful. Glad I found your website, warm regards from Paulette!
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It was such a great time to be in Cortona…glad you enjoyed the post.
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