Calenzano Medieval Carnival

A re-enactment in the village of Calenzano Alto

The Calenzano Medieval Carnival is one of the most distinctive carnival events in Tuscany. For an entire day, the historic village of Calenzano Alto, perched within the Municipality of Calenzano in the Province of Florence, leaves modernity behind to travel back in time to the Middle Ages. The streets and squares of the old town fill with ladies and knights, flag-bearers, musicians, and costumed performers, bringing to life a symbolic ceremony that is much more than a simple parade.

The challenge of the seven districts

The heart of the event is the rivalry between the seven historic districts of Calenzano: Sommaia, Carraia, Settimello, Nome di Gesù, Legri, Fogliaia, and Le Croci. The district teams march in a procession and compete for the day's prizes, the Golden Tower and the Torrino, through a parade judged by the public and a series of themed games. It is a moment of strong local identity, where each part of the municipality showcases its nobility and pride.

The day's program

The festival opens in the early afternoon in Piazza Vittorio Veneto, with a greeting from the authorities and the departure of the historical pageant towards the Castle, accompanied by the flag-bearers and musicians of Valmarina. The performers then reach Piazza San Niccolò in Calenzano Alto, where the district parade and the games for the Golden Tower take place. The entertainment includes readings of Tuscan fairy tales with musical accompaniment, wooden medieval games for children, guided tours of the Tower, and fire shows that light up the atmosphere as evening falls.

The burning of the Carnival King

The final and most anticipated moment is the burning of the Carnival King, an ancient ritual marking the symbolic end of winter and the close of the festivities: an act of collective purification that brings the whole community together around the effigy burning in the square.

A celebration for the whole community

Created over thirty years ago by the Municipality of Calenzano, the event is not rooted in an authentic historical carnival but is a modern re-enactment designed to promote and showcase the rich medieval heritage of the area to visitors. Promoted by the Municipality of Calenzano and organized by the Calenzano Tourist Association (ATC), the Medieval Carnival is a free event that attracts families, history enthusiasts, and curious visitors from the entire Florence metropolitan area every year.