Contignano Castle Medieval Festival
Historical re-enactment and Grand Medieval Banquet in the heart of the Val d'Orcia
About Contignano Medieval Festival
A medieval evening in the heart of the Val d'Orcia
The Contignano Castle Medieval Festival takes place every summer in the stunning setting of Piazza del Castello, in the small village of Contignano, part of the municipality of Radicofani, in the province of Siena. We are in the heart of the Val d'Orcia, a Tuscan landscape declared a UNESCO World Heritage site, where the gentle rolling hills frame an event that transports visitors back in time, in an atmosphere of yesteryear animated by the sound of musicians.
The historical re-enactment of the Salimbeni expulsion
The event is more than just a costume dinner: it is a true historical, cultural, and gastronomic re-enactment of the expulsion of the Salimbeni family, which occurred on July 7, 1409, when Contignano freed itself from the lordship of the powerful Sienese family and became a free commune. Over the centuries, the village was a castle under the jurisdiction of the Abbey of San Salvatore, then the Farnese family and the Republic of Siena, passing through the hands of the Salimbeni: a layered history that the festival recounts and celebrates every year.
The Grand Medieval Banquet
The heart of the evening is the Grand Medieval Banquet, set up in the square at sunset. The menu is inspired by ancient recipes, with sumptuous courses accompanied by seasonal fruit to be enjoyed at the beginning or end of the meal. Dining outdoors, under the castle walls, while jugglers and jesters perform around you, is an experience that brings the splendor and joy of a medieval feast to life.
Shows, musicians, and jesters
The evening is brought to life by re-enactment and performance groups such as Duellatorum and Alchimia, who offer jesters' acts, buffoonery, juggling, and acrobatics. The festival often opens in the late afternoon with a medieval-themed historical lecture, an opportunity to delve into the history of the area and its traditions before sitting down to the banquet.
A community celebration
The Medieval Festival is organized by the Pro Loco of Contignano in collaboration with the Contrada Castello di Contignano and under the patronage of the Municipality of Radicofani. It is a deeply felt event for the community, capable of uniting tourists and locals in an evening of authentic conviviality. For those visiting the Val d'Orcia in summer, it represents an opportunity to discover a village off the beaten path and to experience the most genuine side of Tuscany.
Contignano Medieval Festival — edition 2026
Contignano Medieval Festival 2026
The 2026 edition of the Contignano Castle Medieval Festival is confirmed for Saturday, July 4, 2026, in Piazza del Castello in Contignano, a village of Radicofani (Siena), in the heart of the Val d'Orcia.
As per tradition, the evening features the re-enactment of the 1409 Salimbeni expulsion and the Grand Medieval Banquet with a menu inspired by ancient recipes, animated by musicians and performances by groups such as Duellatorum and Alchimia, featuring jesters, juggling, and acrobatics. The festival usually opens in the late afternoon with a medieval-themed historical lecture.
The detailed program for this edition, including times, the lecture theme, and speakers, will be published by the Pro Loco of Contignano closer to the event. Reservations are recommended for dinner.
Programme Contignano Medieval Festival 2026
The detailed program for the 2026 edition, including times, the historical lecture theme, and performance groups, will be announced by the Pro Loco of Contignano in the weeks leading up to the event.
The usual structure of the evening, as documented in recent editions, includes:
- Late afternoon — Opening with a medieval-themed historical lecture in Piazza del Castello.
- Evening — Grand Medieval Banquet with a menu inspired by ancient recipes.
- During the evening — Performances by jesters, musicians, jugglers, and acrobats by re-enactment and street art groups.
Advance booking with the Pro Loco of Contignano is recommended for the banquet.
Highlights Contignano Medieval Festival 2026
- Grand Medieval Banquet in Piazza del Castello at sunset, with a menu inspired by ancient recipes.
- Re-enactment of the 1409 Salimbeni expulsion, when Contignano became a free commune.
- Performances by jesters, musicians, jugglers, and acrobats.
- Setting of the Val d'Orcia, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Prices Contignano Medieval Festival 2026
Practical information — Contignano Medieval Festival
Location
The festival is held in Piazza del Castello, in Contignano, a village in the municipality of Radicofani (province of Siena), postal code 53040, in the heart of the Val d'Orcia.
How to get there
By car: Contignano can be reached from the SS2 Cassia, taking the Radicofani exit, and continuing along the scenic roads of the Val d'Orcia. It is about a 1-hour drive from Siena. By train: the nearest stations are Chiusi-Chianciano Terme on the Rome-Florence line, from where you can continue by car or local bus.
Banquet and reservations
Participation in the dinner / Grand Medieval Banquet requires payment (in recent editions, approximately 32 euros). It is highly recommended to book in advance by contacting the Pro Loco of Contignano. The historical lecture and the performances in the square are generally free of charge.
Tips
Bring clothing suitable for the evening; even in summer, evenings in the hills can be cool. Take advantage of the day to visit the Val d'Orcia and the nearby fortress of Radicofani.
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Where does it take place — Contignano Medieval Festival
Piazza del Castello di Contignano
Piazza del Castello, 53040 Radicofani