"Contrade & Borghi" Medieval Historical Pageant

The Medieval Historical Pageant of Scurcola Marsicana

In the heart of the Marsica region, in the province of L'Aquila, the village of Scurcola Marsicana hosts one of the most evocative historical re-enactments in Abruzzo every summer: the "Contrade & Borghi" Medieval Historical Pageant. The event takes place around August 23, the eve of the anniversary of the famous battle fought in the nearby Piani Palentini in 1268. The streets, squares, and corners of the historic center transform into a grand open-air stage, where time seems to slip back over seven centuries.

The Battle of the Piani Palentini

The re-enactment recreates the historical situation immediately preceding the clash between Conradin of Swabia and Charles I of Anjou for control of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies. That battle, also mentioned by Dante in the 28th canto of the Inferno ("there at Tagliacozzo, where without arms the old Alardo won"), marked a decisive turning point in the history of Italy and Europe, forever linking the name of Scurcola to the Angevin king. The Abbey of Santa Maria della Vittoria, commissioned by Charles of Anjou as a votive offering for his victory, is dedicated to this very episode.

Districts, villages, and participants

The heart of the event is the grand procession featuring over 250 participants in medieval costume, representing the various districts and villages of Scurcola Marsicana. Flag-wavers, crossbowmen, musicians, knights, ladies, and soldiers animate the town's streets, reconstructing the daily life of the 13th and 14th centuries: the market, the militias, the hospital, artisan workshops, and court life. Highlights include the arrival of the Angevin messenger, the oath of allegiance, tournaments, medieval games, falconry displays, and banquets set up in the village alleys.

A long-term cultural project

The Pageant is organized by the Centro Studi Culturali Carlo I d'Angiò, led by architect Lorenzo Fallocco, and works in tandem with the International d'Angiò Prize, an initiative that promotes the culture and history of the Marsica territory. The event is included in the official register of historical re-enactments of the Ministry of Culture and represents the commitment of the Scurcola Marsicana community to keeping the memory of an episode that shaped the entire Abruzzo region alive.

A dive into the Abruzzese Middle Ages

Strolling through the streets of the historic center during the Pageant means immersing yourself in an atmosphere of yesteryear, amidst the scent of medieval food, torchlight, and the sounds of drums and clarions. The event is an opportunity to discover not only the history but also the architectural and landscape heritage of this authentic Marsican village, framed by the mountains of inland Abruzzo.