Calenzano 1325 – Siege of the Castle

A leap into the Middle Ages just a stone's throw from Florence

In the heart of Tuscany, perched on a hill overlooking the Florentine Plain, the medieval village of Calenzano Alto preserves the charm of its past intact. It is here that every year, in early October, Calenzano 1325 – Siege of the Castle comes to life, one of the most cherished historical re-enactments in the Province of Florence. The event, promoted by the Municipality of Calenzano together with the Calenzano Tourist Association and the Agresto medieval association, reconstructs a slice of 14th-century castle life and transports visitors back to the era of wars between Lucca and Florence.

The history: the siege of 1325

The event commemorates an episode that actually took place in October 1325, when the troops of the famous Lucchese warlord Castruccio Castracani, in the midst of a war against Florence, attacked the small village in the Florentine countryside. According to the chronicles of Giovanni Villani, the castle was set on fire; from that ancient raid, the Calenzano community has drawn its signature festival, which in 2025 celebrated the 700th anniversary of the siege.

The historical pageant and performances

The day opens with a salute from the authorities and a grand historical pageant in costume, accompanied by drums and clarions, winding its way from the town square up to the castle. Among the essential protagonists are the Alfieri e Musici della Valmarina, with their flag-waving and musical performances, historical dances, jesters, fire-eaters, and roving shows that bring the alleys and squares to life. Numerous arms companies from various regions of Italy – from Tuscany to Emilia-Romagna, from Liguria to Abruzzo – bring combat scenes to life.

The battle and the living chess match

The most anticipated moment is the re-enactment of the siege: two factions start from opposite sides of the village and clash in Piazza San Niccolò. Since 2025, the confrontation has taken the evocative form of a living chess match: the square is transformed into a giant chessboard where costumed characters move like pieces, vying for control of the castle in a challenge of strategy and spectacle.

Medieval market and ancient crafts

Winding through the village streets is the medieval arts and crafts market, with about sixteen artisans showcasing traditional trades live: the luthier, the scribe, the papermaker, the cobbler, the armorer, and the ropemaker. There is no shortage of children's games, guided tours of the village and its monuments, taverns serving traditional dishes, and medieval-themed food stalls. The event, also supported by the Tuscany Region as part of its historical re-enactment grant, is a perfect opportunity to discover an authentic corner of Tuscany far from the usual tourist circuits.