Ascanio

Ascanio: Tagliacozzo dresses up in Renaissance style

Ascanio is the grand Renaissance festival that transforms the historic center of Tagliacozzo, in the province of L'Aquila, into the heart of the Abruzzo Marsica region every summer. Founded in 1995 from an idea by Bruno Rossi, the event celebrates the figure of Ascanio Mari (1524-?), a goldsmith from Tagliacozzo who was a student of Benvenuto Cellini in his Roman workshop during the time of Pope Paul III, before moving to France to serve kings Francis I and Henry II. An Abruzzo talent projected into the European goldsmithing art of the 16th century, whom the city remembers with pride.

A dive into the 16th century

For an entire weekend, usually the second weekend of July, the squares and alleys of Tagliacozzo—from the Palazzo Ducale to the spectacular Piazza dell'Obelisco—become an open-air stage. The public is catapulted into one of Italy's most fascinating historical periods through performances, music, art, and Renaissance-era food and wine.

• Historical pageants and re-enactments with groups from all over Central Italy;
• Flag-wavers, musicians, and trumpeters who open the days with costumed town criers;
• Street arts: jugglers, fire-eaters, pavement artists, and games of yesteryear for children;
• Taverns and inns open in the evening with Renaissance menus and traditional recipes;
• Arts and ancient crafts market among the historic buildings of the village.

Art, culture, and taste

Alongside the performances, Ascanio offers conferences dedicated to the figure of Ascanio Mari and the art of goldsmithing, guided tours of historic palaces, and themed displays, from encampments to markets showcasing Abruzzo's finest products. The event, organized by the Municipality of Tagliacozzo together with the Altogradimento cultural association and numerous local associations, is now one of the most appreciated historical re-enactments in Abruzzo.

Why visit

Ascanio combines the beauty of Tagliacozzo, one of the most evocative villages in the Abruzzo region, with the power of an authentic and participatory re-enactment. It is the ideal opportunity to discover a historic center rich in history, taste the flavors of Marsican cuisine revisited in a Renaissance key, and experience the atmosphere of a festival that involves the entire community.