Beata Giovanna Festival of Signa
One of Tuscany's oldest historical re-enactments, blending faith and tradition
About Beata Giovanna
A tradition spanning the centuries
The Beata Giovanna Festival of Signa is one of the most deep-rooted and ancient events in Tuscany. Celebrated annually during the Easter period in the historic center of Signa, in the province of Florence, it is rooted in the cult of Blessed Giovanna, who was born in Signa in 1266 and died on November 9, 1307. The first documented procession in her honor dates back to 1385, making this one of the longest-running historical re-enactments in the region.
The festival inextricably links religious and civic life: it is both an act of popular devotion and a grand historical re-enactment that involves the entire community of Signa and the neighboring towns of the Florence Plain.
The Solemn Historical Pageant
The beating heart of the event is the Historical Pageant, which has grown over time to include over 400 participants in 15th-century costumes, crafted with great care based on meticulous historical research. On Easter Monday morning, the characters in period dress parade through the oldest part of Signa, accompanied by flag-wavers, musicians, armed guards, and the Falconieri Fiorentini di Malmantile (Florentine Falconers of Malmantile), finally gathering in Piazza Cavour.
Among the most traditional moments are the arrival of the famous Ciuchino del Popolo (People's Donkey) from San Miniato and the performance of the medieval ballet group, culminating in the solemn blessing pronounced in the name of the Beata Giovanna over the attendees and all the people.
Three days of faith and community
The festival spans three days. Easter Sunday kicks off with Mass in the church of San Lorenzo, attended by the Venerabile Compagnia del Santissimo Sacramento e dello Spirito Santo (the historic 'White Company', active since 1348), followed by the unveiling of the Beata's urn in the church of San Giovanni. On Tuesday, known as the Festa del Beatino, the Historical Pageant once again accompanies the Gonfalone and the authorities to San Giovanni for a concelebrated Mass and the ceremony of re-covering the urn.
A defining event for Tuscany
Registered in the regional Tuscan calendar of historical re-enactments, the Beata Giovanna Festival is a living example of how an ancient tradition can engage associations, families, and new generations. For visitors, it offers a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in medieval Signa, discover a village in the Florence Plain far from the most crowded tourist circuits, and experience the authentic atmosphere of a popular festival that the community holds dear.
- Where: Historic center of Signa (FI), between the churches of San Lorenzo and San Giovanni and Piazza Cavour
- When: During the Easter holidays, with the Historical Pageant on Easter Monday
- What to see: Historical pageant with over 400 participants, flag-wavers, falconers, medieval ballet, and religious rites in historic churches
Beata Giovanna — edition 2026
The 2026 edition opened on Sunday, April 5 (Easter) at 6:00 PM with Mass in the church of San Lorenzo in the presence of the Venerabile Compagnia del Santissimo Sacramento e dello Spirito Santo; following this, a delegation of the Historical Pageant accompanied the town's Gonfalone to the church of San Giovanni, where the Beata's urn was unveiled.
Monday, April 6, Easter Monday, represented the heart of the festival: at 10:00 AM, the arrival of the traditional Ciuchino del Popolo from San Miniato, followed by the departure of the Historical Pageant with over 400 participants and the Falconieri Fiorentini di Malmantile through the town streets. At noon, in Piazza Cavour and the church of San Giovanni, tributes were paid to the Beata, followed by a flag-waver performance and a solemn blessing; at 4:00 PM, the Easter Monday Concert by the Filarmonica Giuseppe Verdi took place in the church of San Lorenzo.
Tuesday, April 7, Festa del Beatino: at 9:00 PM, the Historical Pageant paraded, accompanying the Gonfalone and authorities to San Giovanni for a concelebrated Mass and the ceremony of re-covering the urn.
Programme Beata Giovanna 2026
Sunday, April 5 (Easter)
- 6:00 PM - Mass in the church of San Lorenzo with the Venerabile Compagnia del Santissimo Sacramento
- Following - Procession of the Gonfalone to the church of San Giovanni and unveiling of the Beata's urn
Monday, April 6 (Easter Monday)
- 10:00 AM - Arrival of the Ciuchino del Popolo from San Miniato
- Following - Solemn Historical Pageant (over 400 participants) and Falconieri Fiorentini di Malmantile through the town streets
- 12:00 PM - Tributes to the Beata, flag-waver performance, and solemn blessing in San Giovanni
- 4:00 PM - "Beata Giovanna" Easter Monday Concert by the Filarmonica Giuseppe Verdi, church of San Lorenzo
Tuesday, April 7 (Festa del Beatino)
- 9:00 PM - Historical Pageant with Gonfalone and authorities towards San Giovanni, concelebrated Mass, and re-covering of the urn
Highlights Beata Giovanna 2026
- Solemn Historical Pageant with over 400 participants in 15th-century costumes
- Performance by flag-wavers and the Falconieri Fiorentini di Malmantile
- Traditional arrival of the Ciuchino del Popolo from San Miniato
- Easter Monday Concert by the Filarmonica Giuseppe Verdi
Prices Beata Giovanna 2026
Practical information — Beata Giovanna
How to get there
Signa is located about 15 km west of Florence, in the Florence Plain. By train, the Signa station is served by the Florence-Empoli-Pisa regional line. By car, it can be reached via the FI-PI-LI highway (Lastra a Signa exit) or the A1 motorway (Firenze Scandicci exit). During the festival, the historic center is largely pedestrianized: it is recommended to park in areas outside the center.
Admission and hours
Access to the Historical Pageant and the celebrations is free. The main events take place during Easter, Easter Monday, and the following Tuesday: the Historical Pageant on Easter Monday departs in the morning from the church of San Lorenzo.
Information
Organized by Pro Loco Signa A.P.S. and the Venerabile Compagnia del Santissimo Sacramento e dello Spirito Santo. Updated program available on the Pro Loco Signa website.
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Where does it take place — Beata Giovanna
Centro storico di Signa