Balestro del Girifalco (August edition)
The medieval crossbow challenge between the three Terzieri of Massa Marittima, in its summer Ferragosto version
About Balestro del Girifalco
A medieval challenge in the heart of the Maremma
The Balestro del Girifalco is the grand historical re-enactment of Massa Marittima, a jewel-like city in the Maremma region of the Province of Grosseto, in Tuscany. It is held twice a year: on the fourth Sunday of May and, in its summer version, on August 14th. It is precisely this Ferragosto edition that fills the medieval village with banners, costumes, and drums at the height of the tourist season, offering residents and visitors an evening out of time.
How the competition works
The heart of the event is the shooting challenge with the Italian antique crossbow, a heavy weapon that requires strength and precision. The three Terzieri into which the city is historically divided—Borgo, Cittannova, and Cittavecchia—each field eight crossbowmen, for a total of 24 shooters. The target is the corniolo, a small wooden cone placed 36 meters away: the crossbowman whose arrow lands closest to the center wins the symbolic golden arrow, while his Terziere takes home the Palio.
The Palio, a unique work of art every year
The most coveted prize is the drappellone, a hand-painted fabric banner created by a different artist for each edition and presented to the city in the days leading up to the competition. Winning the Palio means a full year of pride and celebration for the victorious Terziere: the banner is jealously guarded as the district's trophy.
The historical procession and flag-wavers
Before the shooting, the streets of the historic center fill with the historical procession: over 150 participants in faithful medieval costumes parade toward the Piazza del Duomo (modern-day Piazza Garibaldi), dominated by the majestic Cathedral of San Cerbone. Drummers, clarion players, and especially the flag-wavers of the SocietĂ dei Terzieri Massetani enliven the wait with spectacular flag routines, in an atmosphere that takes you back centuries.
A long-standing tradition
The origins of the Balestro date back to the 14th century: the city statutes, the Costitutum Civitatis Massae, already mentioned the Magister balistrarum, and a 1476 decree mandated crossbow competitions several times a year to train young men in the use of the weapon. The event in its current form was born in 1959, when the SocietĂ dei Terzieri Massetani was founded to revive the ancient tradition, which later joined the Italian Crossbow Federation. Today, the Balestro del Girifalco is one of the most beloved re-enactment events in Tuscany, capable of combining competition, history, and spectacle in the evocative setting of the Massa village.
Balestro del Girifalco — edition 2026
On August 14, 2026, Massa Marittima will host the summer edition of the Balestro del Girifalco, the historical re-enactment that attracts enthusiasts and tourists to the city every year in the heart of Ferragosto.
The main day opens with a historical procession of over 150 participants in medieval costume, parading through the streets of the center to the Piazza del Duomo. This is followed by the routines of the flag-wavers and musicians, before the antique crossbow shooting competition: the three Terzieri—Borgo, Cittannova, and Cittavecchia—compete for the Palio by hitting the corniolo at a distance of 36 meters.
Programme Balestro del Girifalco 2026
The detailed program for the August 2026 edition, including final times and the name of the artist who created the Palio, will be published by the SocietĂ dei Terzieri Massetani in the weeks leading up to the event.
According to the traditional structure of the summer edition, the events take place in the days leading up to and on the day of the competition:
- Previous days — Balestruzzo (young crossbowmen's competition) at the Cassero Senese; presentation of the Palio and the artist at Palazzo dell'Abbondanza; drawing of the shooting order and traditional dinners of the three Terzieri.
- August 14, evening — Historical procession through the streets of the historic center toward the Piazza del Duomo (Piazza Garibaldi).
- Following — Performance by flag-wavers and musicians, then the crossbow competition between the 24 shooters of the Terzieri to win the Palio.
It is recommended to check times and details on the official website of the SocietĂ dei Terzieri Massetani.
Highlights Balestro del Girifalco 2026
- The historical procession with over 150 participants in medieval costume
- Flag-waver performances in Piazza del Duomo
- The crossbow challenge between the Borgo, Cittannova, and Cittavecchia Terzieri
- The awarding of the Palio (banner) to the winning Terziere
Prices Balestro del Girifalco 2026
Practical information — Balestro del Girifalco
When and where
The summer edition of the Balestro del Girifalco is held on August 14th in Massa Marittima (GR), in the Piazza del Duomo (Piazza Garibaldi), in the heart of the historic center. The competition takes place in the evening, preceded by the historical procession and flag-waver performances.
Tickets
Access to the stands set up in the square is paid: tickets can be purchased at the Tourist Office of Massa Marittima (Piazza Garibaldi, 2). It is advisable to inquire about availability and prices in advance.
How to get there
By car: Massa Marittima can be reached via the SS439 and the Provincial Road, about an hour from Grosseto and the Tyrrhenian coast. By train: the reference station is Follonica, on the Tyrrhenian line, from where you can continue by bus or car. The historic center is pedestrianized: it is recommended to park in the areas outside the walls.
Contacts
Tourist Office: +39 0566 906554 - SocietĂ dei Terzieri Massetani APS, Via Parenti 22, Massa Marittima.
Festival-goer photos
No photos yet. Share yours!
Share your photos
5 photos max, 5 MB per photo (JPG, PNG, WebP)
Noticed an error or missing information?
Help us keep this listing up to date. Every proposal is verified by our team before publication.
Festival-goer reviews
No rating yet — be the first!
No comments yet. Be the first!
Were you there?
Share your experience with the community.
Where does it take place — Balestro del Girifalco
Piazza del Duomo (Piazza Garibaldi)
Piazza del Duomo, 58024 Massa Marittima