Cordesca – Junior Jousting Tournament
Sulmona's children's jousting tournament: the future of chivalric tradition
About La Cordesca
La Cordesca, the future of the Giostra Cavalleresca of Sulmona
La Cordesca is the junior version of the historic Giostra Cavalleresca of Sulmona, the grand chivalric tournament that brings the town of Sulmona—located in the province of L'Aquila, in the heart of the Peligna Valley in Abruzzo—to life every summer. Created to involve the younger generation, La Cordesca is reserved for children between 8 and 14 years old and is considered the true nursery of the tradition: this is where the future knights, flag-wavers, and historical figures who will one day take part in the adult tournament are trained.
Seven districts competing
Just like in the main Giostra, La Cordesca features a competition between the seven Borghi and Sestieri into which the city of Sulmona is historically divided. Each district fields a team of six young athletes vying for the coveted Palio. Unlike the adult tournament, the competitors in La Cordesca do not ride horses: they run the course set up inside the Stadio Comunale Francesco Pallozzi, facing obstacles and attempting to spear rings with a lance. The final ranking rewards speed, precision, and team spirit.
The historical pageant in the center of Sulmona
The event opens with a striking historical pageant that departs from Piazza Plebiscito, near the Church of Santa Maria della Tomba, and winds through the historic center of Sulmona to the stadium. Hundreds of participants in Renaissance-era costumes, including ladies, musicians, drummers, trumpeters, and flag-wavers, create a visually stunning parade—an authentic historical re-enactment that evokes the era of the Peligna Renaissance.
A school of tradition
La Cordesca is not just a two-day event; it is the culmination of a full year of activities. From September to June, the children attend lessons in trumpet, drumming, flag-waving, ancient dance, heraldry, and Renaissance history, learning the gestures, knowledge, and values that keep Sulmona's identity alive. This is why the event is officially defined as «the future of the Giostra Cavalleresca».
Organization and patronage
La Cordesca is organized by the Associazione Giostra Cavalleresca di Sulmona, with the patronage of the Abruzzo Region and the Municipality of Sulmona. The event is one of the most anticipated appointments of the Peligna spring and a unique opportunity to discover the historic center of Sulmona, its history, and its popular traditions.
La Cordesca — edition 2026
Cordesca 2026: The youth tournament in the name of inclusion
The 2026 edition of La Cordesca was held on Saturday, June 6, and Sunday, June 7, in Sulmona. The historical pageant departed both days from Piazza Plebiscito at 4:00 PM to reach the Stadio Comunale Francesco Pallozzi, where the competitions began at 5:30 PM. Six young athletes for each of the seven districts competed to spear the rings with their lances along the stadium track.
On Saturday, the return procession was scheduled for 7:30 PM, while on Sunday at 8:00 PM, the ceremony for the delivery of the Palio to the winning district took place. The 2026 edition had a strong focus on solidarity: the Palio was created by the youth of Anffas, while all participants were presented with an alabaster ceramic work from AIAS, reflecting the values of inclusion and sharing that drive the event.
Programme La Cordesca 2026
Saturday, June 6, 2026
- 4:00 PM – Departure of the historical pageant from Piazza Plebiscito to Stadio Pallozzi
- 5:30 PM – Start of the Cordesca competitions
- 7:30 PM – Return procession
Sunday, June 7, 2026
- 4:00 PM – Historical pageant from Piazza Plebiscito
- 5:30 PM – Final competitions
- 8:00 PM – Palio award ceremony for the winning district and final procession
Highlights La Cordesca 2026
- Historical pageant with hundreds of participants in Renaissance costumes
- Ring-spearing challenge between the seven districts
- Palio created by the youth of Anffas in the name of inclusion
- Alabaster ceramic work from AIAS for all participants
Prices La Cordesca 2026
Practical information — La Cordesca
How to get there
Sulmona can be reached by car via the A25 motorway (Pratola Peligna–Sulmona exit) and by train via the Sulmona railway station, a hub on the Rome–Pescara and Sulmona–L'Aquila lines. The pageant departs from Piazza Plebiscito in the historic center, while the competitions take place at the Stadio Comunale Francesco Pallozzi.
When
La Cordesca is traditionally held in the first week of June, with the historical pageant starting from Piazza Plebiscito at 4:00 PM and the competitions at the stadium starting at 5:30 PM.
Contact
Associazione Giostra Cavalleresca di Sulmona, Via Arabona 8, 67039 Sulmona (AQ). Phone +39 0864 210969, email [email protected].
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Where does it take place — La Cordesca
Stadio Comunale Francesco Pallozzi
Via Arabona 8, 67039 Sulmona