At the Priors' Table

A journey into the Middle Ages in the heart of the Maremma

At the Priors' Table is a historical and gastronomic re-enactment that transforms the historic center of Massa Marittima, in the province of Grosseto, into a fascinating journey through time. Promoted by the Municipality of Massa Marittima together with the Società dei Terzieri Massetani APS, the event invites residents and visitors to rediscover local traditions, authentic flavors of the past, and the unique atmosphere of the Middle Ages among the squares, alleys, and monumental buildings of this Maremma town.

The 800th Anniversary of the Free Commune

The event is part of the celebrations for the 800th anniversary of the founding of the Free Commune of Massa Marittima, established on July 31, 1225. At that time, the city, enriched by the silver and copper mines of the Maremma, was experiencing a season of great political and cultural splendor, still evidenced today by the Cathedral of San Cerbone and the Palazzo del Podestà. «At the Priors' Table» evokes that very period, offering participants the experience of a 14th-century banquet and town festival.

The Three Terzieri and Medieval Menus

The heart of the event lies in the three Terzieri into which the city was historically divided — Cittavecchia, Cittanuova, and Borgo — which bring different parts of the historic center to life. Each Terziere offers its own menu, with dishes reconstructed with philological rigor directly from medieval cookbooks of central Italy. Dishes featured in the tastings include boiled veal, chickpeas with saffron, pork sausages, herb pie, wild boar in peverata sauce, and desserts such as white cake and rice cake.

Re-enactments, Processions, and Shows

Beyond the banquet tables, the city streets are filled with costumed re-enactments set between 1225 and 1335: duels between men-at-arms, performances by flag-wavers and musicians, archery competitions, historical dances, and the recitation of sonnets by local poet Ugo da Massa. It is a program that combines entertainment, culture, and gastronomy into one great popular festival.

Tasting History

The event is preceded by the «Tasting History – MMXXVI» lecture series, organized by the Società dei Terzieri Massetani with the Municipality: three in-depth meetings on the medieval history of Massa Marittima, each followed by a tasting of dishes reconstructed from period recipes, with the participation of scholars from the universities of Siena and Trieste. This journey leads the city toward the main event in the historic center, a living expression of the identity of the Maremma and the Tuscany Region.