Our historical reenactments are numerous; even today they celebrate the most important moments that shaped our city's past and, combined with other local traditions and folklore, create unique and evocative spectacles.
Volterra it is an incredible concentration of natural, artistic and cultural beauties and It also boasts a very rich history. Today we discover some of the most famous historical reenactments in Volterra where you can relive past events through fabulous journeys back in time between reality and legend.
UT ARMENTUR BALISTARI
A suggestive tournament with a long tradition. It takes inspiration from a medieval event in Volterra in which the Contrade that were part of it had the burden and honor of providing the Municipality with their best crossbowmen, to join the Company defending the city walls. To the sound of drums and clarions, under the imposing Palazzo dei Priori, the eight best marksmen of the’ancient bench crossbow, each representing their own district, challenge each other by simultaneously shooting their arrows in a single target. The one who makes the best shot will be named Prior of the Crossbowmen and awarded with the emblematic silver collar of great economic value.
PALIO OF THE CERA
This game is inspired by many of the civil and religious traditions of Medieval Volterra. The Contrade of Volterra challenge each other in a tug-of-war sporting competition deeply felt by residents; with a strictly local significance, the fans and the competition have always attracted the attention of passing tourists. Eight teams, one for each district, they challenge each other in the contest of a large wooden apparatus on the top of which is fixed a very long candle. The candle is the coveted prize: every year, designed and drawn by variouslocal artists, always presents itself in a new guise.
LUDUS BALISTRI
Another appointment with the antique bench crossbow. One evening show unique in the Italian panorama of crossbow shooting: the high level of skill in the shooting, the splendid setting of the Piazza dei Priori, the validity of the groups that participate, the consistency of the flag and fire shows in the interludes, have made it a sought-after destination for the best crossbowmen in all of Italy, as well as a source of pride for the entire city. Here excellence is rewarded in two distinct tournaments, one for each team victory, the other for the’individual. It feels like we're back in the Middle Ages!
LUDUSSINO
The event takes place the day after the Ludus Balistri. I young crossbowmen of Volterra welcome the representatives of the other Cities belonging to the Italian League of Shooting with the Ancient Crossbow from Banco and to the Italian Crossbow Federation, who then challenge in a Antique Crossbow Shooting Tournament. The young crossbowmen meet to defend the insignia of their Company and their City, in the spirit of mutual brotherhood and friendship. Although young, these crossbowmen face the challenge head on, trying to demonstrate that they know how to do their part in the hit the bull's eye.
ASTILUDIO
The choreographies and flag games They are inspired by historical events that took place in medieval and Renaissance Volterra. During this historic event, Volterra once again breathes a fresh air. the atmosphere of the fifteenth century: drum rolls, multicoloured flags, ladies and knights in period costumes contribute to recreating the glories of glorious Volterra. The Astiludio it is a competitive competition, in which The most beautiful and engaging choreography performed by the flag-wavers is awarded. The show takes place in a single day from morning to late at night, dividing the competition between the under and senior groups.
WEIGHING OF SALT
Salt in the center, then processions in historical dress and ritual ceremony. The reenactment of the Weighing of Salt, which every year recalls the ancient rite of weighing in medieval historical costume, It is part of the long preparations for the Palio del Cero. For this occasion, the local communities of the Volterra area are also doing their utmost in’extraordinary opening of the Salina of Volterra: a unique plant in Italy, which produces an extremely pure salt; 99.99% pure. The visit ends with the opportunity to admire the “salt waterfall” inside the shed, the work of a young architect Nervi.
BLESSING OF THE HEMPS
The commitments linked to the Palio del Cero are expressed with the ceremony of the Weighing of Salt in Saline di Volterra and with the ceremony of the Blessing of the Canapi in Villamagna. The blessed ropes They are a fundamental part of the Palio del Cero, a key event of the contrada's year. The Palio del Cero is nothing more than a highly elaborate tug-of-war, a game of peasant origins that was already in use in the Middle Ages and Renaissance. Invoke protection and grace of a deity on ropes and rope-pullers, can be the touch for a good omen of victory or a good life.
CAPTIVATED
The event is held in Borgo San Giusto’ancient festival of Avvinta, ceremony held by Sixteenth century onwards. It consists in the offering, by the districts, of the waxed rope with which it is externally the church of San Giusto is surrounded and inside all the altars. A traditional and characteristic celebration takes place evening procession with the presence of all the districts, of the bishop and the clergy of Volterra. Before entering the church, the waxed rope, with which the church was surrounded, is cut into many small pieces, as if they were wicks, and they are given to the faithful, so that they can take them to their homes and put them in the oil and light them, as a sign of gratitude and veneration towards the patron saint.
FEAST OF THE PATRON SAINTS JUSTUS AND CLEMENT
As usual in Volterra the festival of Patron Saints Justus and Clement, with celebrations organized by the Catholic bodies of the ancient Diocese of Volterra, by Historical Groups such as Flag-Wavers and Crossbowmen, and by the Committee of the Contrade of the City of Volterra. In the Municipality of Volterra, this is a day of great celebration in which even schools are closing. After the procession of the relics of the Saints from the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta to the Church of San Giusto, the Contrada San Giusto organizes a dinner at the Circolo Arci, to which all citizens are invited.
SPRING TRIBUTE
The Homage of Spring has very ancient pagan origins where the people of Volterra celebrate the passage from darkness to light paying homage to nature's awakening from its long winter lull by beautifying the city with garlands of spring flowers. With a note of folklore and cheerfulness The protagonists are the flag-wavers. The Historical Procession, composed of about fifty participants in medieval costumes, moves from Porta a Selci and, passing through the entire historic center, arrives in Piazza dei Priori where he brings to life a carousel of flags. A show suitable for everyone, for adults and children.
FEAST OF SAN LINO
A very important day for Volterra. The city celebrates Pope Saint Linus, the main one patron saint of the Diocese of Volterra. The Diocese of Volterra encompasses twenty-three municipalities in Tuscany: a vast territory! The program includes a ceremony at the Church of San Lino, the singing of Vespers and then a procession with the reliquary bust of the saint towards the Cathedral, where the mass will take place. Public event for tourists and believers, The presence of the Bishop and the historical group of the Contrade of the Municipality of Volterra enlivened the ceremony.
VOLTERRA AD 1398
The historical reenactment returns every year with different atmospheres in the pulsating heart of the Medieval Volterra. The historic center of the city comes alive with a never-dormant past and visitors are transported, almost magically, back in time. Fiery steeds, bold knights, nobles, ladies, monks and friars, artisans and merchants, commoners and peasants, flag-wavers, crossbowmen and soldiers, jugglers, musicians and jesters magically bring to life different aspects of Volterra's mysterious Middle Ages. The highlight of the event is the "Feast Day in the Year of Our Lord 1398"“ which takes place on two Sundays at the beginning and end of the weekend.
FEAST OF OUR LADY OF SAN SEBASTIAN
A jubilee and Marian occasion is offered to the diocese of Volterra with the annual celebration of the Madonna of San Sebastiano: the third Sunday of September, the day of the celebration, is carried out a diocesan pilgrimage. It is surprising that this Madonna, not painted or commissioned on site but brought from outside, became the Madonna of the Volterrans. Until recently it was a pretext for great celebrations, today scaled down only with religious interests.
FEAST OF SAINTS ATTINIA AND GRECINIANA
The Volterran Church is preparing to celebrate the feast of the holy virgins and martyrs Attinia and Greciniana, two splendid figures, women and lay people, who found death for the faith during the persecution of the emperors Diocletian and Maximian in 303. Attinia and Greciniana are venerated as patron saints by the Accademia dei Sepolti, the oldest cultural institution in the city, which annually works with the Diocese to revive the memory of these illustrious witnesses of the faith. For the occasion, the small chapel on the Via Pisana, built on the site of their martyrdom.
SAN LUCA DEGLI ALABASTRAI
The Saint Luke It is the annual celebration of all the alabaster workers, craftsmen, industrialists. Every year the alabaster workers perpetuate a tradition that harks back to the medieval Volterran artisan guilds. Each Art or Corporation – into which the manufacturing and mercantile activity of the city was divided – he had his protector, or defender, or lawyer: while the Wool Guild celebrated St. Octavian, that of the shoemakers, tanners and butchers St. Nicholas of Bari, that of the haberdashers St. Ugo, so the Stone and Wood Guild found in St. Luke his patron saint. On this occasion they are held events related to the alabaster tradition, from visits to workshops, to impromptu exhibitions, to lunches with artisans.
PROCESSION OF THE MADONNA DEL LIVIDO
In the Middle Ages, it is said that a foreigner, after having lost a game of dice played in an inn near the church of San Michele, he vented his total despair on the Madonna and Child. The tabernacle was reached by three stones: the Virgin just below the eye and in the left breast and the Child in the face. The sweet face of the Virgin Mary after being hit by the stone suddenly turned out to be inexplicably swollen. A large bruise spread from under her right eye to her cheekbone. The Madonna danced one year, a day of great procession organized by the Diocese of Volterra and the Contrada of Sant'Agnolo, which It starts from the Church of San Michele and arrives at the Oratory of the Visitation.
VOLTERRANIAN CHEESE PALIO
Green light for the escaped cheeses. A very special challenge between the district members is scheduled for the penultimate Sunday of October. The contestants must roll along the route of Via Franceschinia form of cheese in the shortest time possible; They have to do it by running downhill, overcoming very challenging obstacles, and without touching the cheese with their hands. Two participants from each district, adrenaline and a touch of competitive spirit, both for the participants and the spectators. A winding path built with straw bales, two wooden paddles, and a wheel of "Balze Volterrane" cheese are the ingredients that... they entertain the audience crowded along the route.
VOLTURE TOURNAMENT
Historical archery competition with targets placed thirteen to fifteen meters apart. The archers, strictly dressed in medieval attire, challenge each other for the title of best single archer, divided by type of bow. In the afternoon the companies present, follows the team competition called the "Alfredo Millo Memorial" in the beautiful lawn of the church of San Giusto. The Volture Tournament organized by Communitas Monte Voltraio is valid for the 5 Castles Tournament, a wide-ranging competitive competition Taking place in various locations throughout Tuscany, this is a wonderful opportunity to learn about a wonderful sport: archery!
DISTRIC ARCHERY TOURNAMENT
The districts they take part in many sporting and competitive challenges to demonstrate who among them is the best. On the initiative of the Contrada of Porta a Selci, the beautiful San Pietro Park opens its doors for ahistorical archery tournament, in collaboration with Communitas Monte Voltraio. The archers, dressed in medieval attire and with representative tunics, challenge each other for the title of best archer in the municipality of Volterra. At the end of the competition, there will be an awards ceremony; a unique opportunity to get closer to the oldest modern sport in the world, in splendid scenography among the wooded properties of the Conservatory of San Pietro.
