Capalle Medieval Re-enactment (Saints' Festival)

A medieval festival in the heart of Capalle Castle

The Capalle Medieval Re-enactment, known to locals as the Saints' Festival, is one of the most cherished events in the village of Capalle, within the municipality of Campi Bisenzio (Metropolitan City of Florence, Tuscany). For over twenty-five years, every spring, the thousand-year-old fortified village dresses up to honor the community's three patron saints — Enea, Onorio, and Valerio — whose relics are kept in the parish church of San Quirico e Giulitta.

For an entire day, the streets of the historic center return to the Middle Ages: knights, ladies, commoners, and costumed participants parade within the ancient castle walls, while the scent of food stalls and the bustle of the market bring the atmosphere of a centuries-old Tuscan village back to life.

The historical pageant and the three Saints

The heart of the event is the historical pageant, which travels through the streets of Capalle in the afternoon with hundreds of participants: knights, ladies, flag-wavers, jesters, and representatives of the rural world. The procession pays homage to the relics of the three Saints, with a blessing that recalls the village's ancient popular devotion. The festival is deeply rooted in local religious tradition, intertwining the cult of the Saints with the historical memory of Capalle Castle, a strategic stronghold on the Florentine plain.

Entertainment, market, and shows

Alongside the procession, the day offers a rich program of medieval entertainment spread throughout the village:

• flag-waver and musician performances;
• armed combat demonstrations by men-at-arms;
• archers, falconers, and shooting demonstrations;
• fire-eaters, jugglers, and fire shows;
• arts and crafts market with artisans, handmade goods, and curiosities;
• medieval games and entertainment for children;
• food stalls serving traditional dishes.

The event is organized by the Associazione Amici per Caso in collaboration with the Parrocchia di San Quirico e Giulitta and the Antica Società del Buon Umore, with the support of the Municipality of Campi Bisenzio. In recent years, the festival has become part of the celebrations for Beata Bettina (Blessed Teresa Maria of the Cross), patron saint of Campi Bisenzio, thereby expanding its appeal across the entire Florentine plain.

Why it's worth attending

The Capalle Saints' Festival is an authentic re-enactment, born from the community and grown over time without losing its popular character. It is the perfect opportunity to discover a little-known corner of Tuscany just a few kilometers from Florence, walk through the walls of a thousand-year-old castle, and breathe in the atmosphere of a village festival where history is not a museum exhibit, but a living tradition.