Historical Pageant

June

Festival del Sole e della Luna (Festival of the Sun and the Moon)
(Giostra del Velo) – Giove
Competition between the city neighbourhoods with knights searching to conquer a “veil”. Historical procession.

July
Palio dell’Acuto – Castel Todino
Historical pageant about the village connected to the mercenary leader Giovanni Acuto, who, according to the tradition, found a strong opposition to his devastating invasions right here in Casteltodino.

August
Palio della Balestra – Lugnano in Teverina
A contest between the representatives of the village neighbourhoods in an attempt to win a Palio. It is disputed on Ferragosto (15th August).

Palio dei Colombi – Amelia
The manifestation has its origins in the Amerini Statutes (Statuti Amerini) of 1346, and along the streets of the historical centre it portrays scenes from medieval life, among which, on the Palio’s eve (second Sunday in August), the Podesta’s arrival.
The Palio is disputed between the crossbowmen and knights of the 5 districts, Collis, Platea, Vallis, Posterla and Crux Burgi. The competitors face one another galloping around a circular competition field, while the crossbowmen have to try to free the woodpigeons enclosed in a cage, by hitting a mechanism that keeps it shut. The contest is extremely fast and intense. The historical procession is made up of over 400 characters dressed in period costumes faithfully reproduced and enriched with the exhibitions of the “Flagwaving group of the city of Amelia” (Gruppo Sbandieratori città di Amelia). During the celebrations, a tavern is open which offers dishes of ancient traditions.

Musical events

May

Maggio Organistico amerino (Organistic May) – Amelia
A cycle of organ concerts by Italian and foreign musicians.