The Archidado Jouster in Cortona

 

The Medieval Festival of the Archidado starts today in Cortonaand goes on until Sunday.

It is the medieval re-enactment of the wedding between Francesco Casali, lord of Cortona, and Antonia Salimbeni, noble woman from Siena. The weeding was magnificent with important kings and queens attending to it and celebrations lasted for several days in 1397. Since then every year the city commemorates the noble wedding.

Nowadays Cortona goes back to the Middle Ages with decorations along the streets, ladies and nights, pages, flag throwers, archers, and lots of other figures in medieval costumes. Then the best crossbowmen of each borough challenge each other at the Archidado Jouster to win the “gold bolt”.

Today at 9pm takes place the spectacular flag-throwers show with best flag-throwers in town. On Friday from 6pm to 11pm you can taste medieval food and watch artisans working as they used to do in the Middle Ages. On Saturday at 9,15 there will be the historical re-enactment of the wedding between Francesco and Antonia, together with music, dances and flag-throwers.

On Sunday at 11am there will be the Provaccia, the jouster’s trial when the crossbowmen practice their best shot. At 4pm starts the Archidado Jouster that will end with the awarding of the Gold Bolt to the borough with the highest score. The winner is celebrated with dancing and a special dinner.