The battle of Gavinana

 

This weekend in Gavinana on the Apennines there are the celebrations for Francesco Ferrucci.

A bit of history

On August 3rd 1530 a violent battle took place in Gavinana, small village on the mountains of Pistoia, that has became the symbol of political freedom and independence of Italy.

It happened that the imperial soldiers of the Prince of Orange defeated the Florentine Officers led by Francesco Ferrucci, famous commander of the Renaissance who died on the battlefield. The defeat was the end of Florentine Republic, that was the last independent Italian state at that time and that was took again by the Medici.

The battle of Gavinana today

Every year on the first week of August Gavinana commemorates the battle and the Renaissance hero Francesco Ferrucci with lots of events. Celebrations go on until Sunday August 5th.

Every day there are guided tours to the battle field, as well as local food market and kids’ entertainments. On Saturday August 4th there is the Renaissance arts and crafts market, falconry show, music and dances and other events. At 9pm the historical re-enactment of the battle of Gavinana.

On Sunday August 5th there is the colorful costume pageant made of 300 hundreds figures, departing from San Marcello Pistoiese and arriving in Gavinana for the presentation of the Palio of Crossbowman. Four knight representing the four districts take part in the trial. The best one wins the hand made palio.