The Renaissance in Colle

 

This weekend go back to the Renaissance in Colle Val d’Elsa! Starts Saturday June 23rd this great festival.

A bit of history

Colle Val d’Elsa has its maximum splendor in the Renaissance, between 1479 and 1592 when it was under the control of Florence in the war against Siena. It became a diocese and then a city. It was a rich city and several gentlemen from Colle played important roles into the Grand Duchy of Tuscany. Beautiful buildings and magnificent churches were built over the centuries.

The Renaissance of Colle 2012

The Renaissance Festival brings Colle back to its splendor with several figures in costume acting as they were living between 1479 and 1592. You find artisans working, soldiers fighting, nobles wandering. In addition there are lots of street performers such as jugglers, musicians, storytellers and other performers. It is located in the suggestive castle of Colle, on top of the hill.

On Saturday June 23rd inns and taverns will open from 5pm and you can taste Renaissance food and good wine. Then there is the markets where you can buy unique arts and crafts, as well as organic products from the surroundings. Around the street the musicians, the jugglers and the storytellers will entertain you and your kids. In Piazza del Castello there will several attractions such as the knights fighting at 9.30pm.

On Sunday June 24th the ins will open from 5pm as well as the market and all the other activities. Other events will animate the city and you’ll can deep into the Renaissance.

Details

The Renaissance of Colle starts on Saturday 23rd from 5pm until the midnight of Sunday June 24th. Entrance costs 9€ per person and 6€ for reduced tickets, while children under 12 years old enter for free. For the entire weekend the Archaeological Museum and the Sacred Art Museum will be open for free.

I suggest you download the useful map of Colle where you see the main locations of the events, as well as the detailed program. For more information visit the official website of the Renaissance of Colle.