Civitas Tonantis – National Medieval Drum Festival in Puglia

Civitas Tonantis: When Fasano turns medieval

The Civitas Tonantis – National Medieval Drum Festival in Puglia is an event that every September brings the heart of Fasano, a town in the province of Brindisi, back to the sonic and visual atmosphere of the Middle Ages. For one evening, the historic center fills with the roll of drums, the waving of banners, and the choreographies of troupes from across Italy, creating a spectacle that blends music, performance, and the memory of Apulian folk traditions.

A festival born from the Timpanisti Fajanensis

The festival is conceived and organized by the Timpanisti Fajanensis Cultural-Musical Association, chaired by Oronzo Bernardis, a local group of medieval percussionists active in Italy's major historical re-enactments and drum festivals. With Civitas Tonantis, the Timpanisti aimed to provide Puglia with its first national festival dedicated to medieval drums, bringing to Fasano a discipline that combines technical rigor, historical research, and strong scenic impact.

How the event unfolds

The festival is structured as a competition. The invited troupes parade through the city streets and reach the main square, where they take turns performing before the public and a jury of industry experts. Performances are evaluated on parameters such as musical execution, technique, choreography, level of difficulty, and synchronization, with awards presented to the best groups. The musical aspect is complemented by the choreography of the flag-wavers, who complete the show with flag tosses and intricate formations.

A signature event for the city

Included in the summer and autumn calendar of the Municipality of Fasano, Civitas Tonantis represents one of the most defining appointments of the city's programming, capable of drawing families, historical re-enactment enthusiasts, and tourists to the square. Free admission makes it an event open to all, designed to enhance the heritage of medieval drumming arts and to place Fasano and Puglia on the national circuit of this tradition.

Fasano and the surrounding area

Fasano rises between the Itria Valley and the Adriatic coast, a short distance from the renowned locations of Savelletri and the Selva di Fasano, in an area rich in masserie (fortified farmhouses), trulli, and ancient olive trees. Attending Civitas Tonantis is also an opportunity to discover the town's historic center and the cultural and landscape heritage of this corner of the province of Brindisi.