A.D. 1074 Medieval Festival
Montefiascone travels back to the Middle Ages of Matilda of Canossa
About A.D. 1074 Montefiascone
A re-enactment born from a 1074 encounter
The A.D. 1074 Medieval Festival is the premier historical re-enactment in the town of Montefiascone, in the province of Viterbo, in the heart of the Tuscia region of Lazio. The event takes its name from the year when, according to historical sources, Countess Matilda of Canossa and her mother Beatrice met Pope Gregory VII at San Flaviano: an episode that forever links the village overlooking Lake Bolsena to the great events of medieval Europe. Drawing from this page of history, the Amici del Colle association has built, starting in 2016, a festival that brings the historic center back to the year 1000 every year.
The historic center transformed into a medieval village
For three days, the streets of the hill, the Rocca dei Papi, and the Bishop's Palace become one grand stage. The medieval market occupies squares and alleys, while the arts and ancient crafts fair showcases the work of blacksmiths, weavers, ropemakers, potters, and illuminators. There is no shortage of torture devices, reconstructed for educational purposes, and the pilgrim's inn, which recalls Montefiascone's role as a historic stop on the Via Francigena.
Shows, weapons, and falconers
The live program is the true heart of the event. Throughout the days, visitors can enjoy:
- historical archery demonstrations and trials by archers and crossbowmen;
- armed encampments with historical re-enactment groups in period gear;
- falconry flights with trained birds of prey and educational commentary;
- roaming musicians, bagpipes, drums, and medieval dances;
- jesters, acrobats, jugglers, fire-eaters, fakirs, and stilt walkers;
- traditional games and activities designed for families and children.
The historical pageant and the re-enactment of the meeting
The most anticipated moment is the grand evening historical pageant, which brings together the Montefiascone group and guest delegations from other Italian towns linked to the figure of Matilda. Drummers, trumpeters, consuls, ladies, knights, and soldiers parade to the square where the re-enactment of the meeting between the Countess and Pope Gregory VII takes place: a scene built with philological costumes, lighting, and live music that attracts a large audience every year.
Flavors of Tuscia
Alongside the shows, there are taverns and wine tastings: Montefiascone is the home of Est! Est!! Est!!! di Montefiascone, one of the most famous white wines of Lazio, and the festival is the perfect opportunity to sample it alongside local peasant cuisine, reinterpreted with a medieval twist.
Why it's worth the trip
Few re-enactments in Lazio can boast a setting like this: the Rocca dei Papi overlooks Lake Bolsena and offers one of the most beautiful views in the region, which becomes truly memorable at sunset with torches lit and processions marching. The event is free to enter and is perfect for a weekend discovering the Viterbo Tuscia, with its villages, thermal baths, and vineyards.
A.D. 1074 Montefiascone — edition 2026
2026 Edition
From June 26 to 28, 2026, Montefiascone returned to the year 1074. The event, curated by the Amici del Colle association, had the Rocca dei Papi and the Bishop's Palace as its heart, with the patronage of the Municipality of Montefiascone and the support of the Lazio Region.
The inauguration was held on Friday, June 26 at 6 PM at the Rocca dei Papi: the drummers of the Montefiascone historical pageant accompanied the group to the meeting with Countess Matilda for the inaugural toast. The most anticipated moment arrived on Saturday, June 27 at 9 PM with the historical pageant, followed at 9:30 PM by the re-enactment of the meeting between Matilda of Canossa and Pope Gregory VII in Piazza Vittorio Emanuele.
Over the three days, the public was able to visit the medieval market, the torture devices, the pilgrim's inn, and the arts and ancient crafts fair, while watching historical archery demonstrations, falconry flights, performances by roaming musicians, acrobats, jesters, jugglers, fakirs, and stilt walkers, in addition to the armed encampment. Wine tastings were also on the program.
Programme A.D. 1074 Montefiascone 2026
Friday, June 26
- 6:00 PM — Rocca dei Papi: Inauguration with the drummers of the Montefiascone historical pageant, meeting with Countess Matilda, and inaugural toast
- Opening of the medieval market, arts and ancient crafts fair, torture devices, and the pilgrim's inn
Saturday, June 27
- In the afternoon: traditional games, historical archery demonstrations, falconry flights, armed encampment, roaming musicians, and performances by jesters, acrobats, jugglers, fakirs, and stilt walkers
- 9:00 PM — Historical pageant with guest delegations (Matildic pageant, historical pageants from Susa, Sovana, Suvereto) and the re-enactors of "La Rocca di Matilde"
- 9:30 PM — Piazza Vittorio Emanuele: Re-enactment of the meeting between Matilda of Canossa and Pope Gregory VII
Sunday, June 28
- Continuation of the medieval market and the ancient crafts fair
- Shows, falconry and archery demonstrations, wine tastings in the taverns
Highlights A.D. 1074 Montefiascone 2026
- Evening historical pageant on Saturday with guest delegations from Susa, Sovana, and Suvereto
- Re-enactment of the meeting between Matilda of Canossa and Pope Gregory VII in Piazza Vittorio Emanuele
- Inaugural toast at the Rocca dei Papi with the historical pageant drummers
- Falconry flights and historical archery demonstrations
- Medieval market, torture devices, and pilgrim's inn
- Wine tastings from the Viterbo Tuscia region
Prices A.D. 1074 Montefiascone 2026
Practical information — A.D. 1074 Montefiascone
How to get there
By car: Montefiascone is reached via the Via Cassia (SS2), about 15 km from Viterbo and 100 km from Rome. By train: Viterbo station, then Cotral bus towards Montefiascone. Nearest airports: Rome Fiumicino and Rome Ciampino.
Admission
Free entry to all areas of the event, excluding any paid tastings and tavern services.
Tips
The historic center is uphill and largely paved: comfortable shoes are recommended. In the evening, even in June, it can get chilly on the hill. Parking fills up quickly: it is advisable to arrive early and walk up towards the Rocca dei Papi.
Where to stay
Montefiascone and the shores of Lake Bolsena offer farm stays, bed and breakfasts, and small hotels; an excellent alternative base is Viterbo, about twenty minutes away by car.
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