Giostra dei Castelli di Torre

A Dive into 15th-Century Friuli

The Giostra dei Castelli is Pordenone's grand historical reenactment, set in the Torre district, around the evocative Castle that gives the event its name. For almost forty years, the third weekend of September has brought the Friuli of the late 15th century back to life, particularly the dramatic raids that struck the region, in a meticulously recreated setting.

For two days, the village transforms into a medieval encampment: hundreds of costumed participants and artists from dozens of historical groups across Italy — from Abruzzo to Emilia Romagna, from Marche to Umbria, and even Veneto — parade through the streets, bringing ladies, knights, nobles, and commoners to life, in one of the most significant reenactment gatherings in the Northeast.

The Joust, the Archers' Palio, and Shows

The heart of the event is Sunday's joust, featuring knightly challenges, accompanied by the Historical Palio of Archery, a team competition between the historic districts of Pordenone — Torre, Vallenoncello, Villanova, and Rorai Grande — with eliminations in the morning and the final in the afternoon. Completing the program are shows by falconers, knights, jesters, dancers, and musicians, and captivating evening fire performances.

Medieval Market and Gastronomy

Along the village streets, a medieval market unfolds with merchants and artisans, while in the taverns, you can sample dishes from the era, most notably the famous "chalda", the traditional baked focaccia served with pork. There are also workshops for children, medieval games, and guided tours of the Castle and museum.

Pordenone and the Torre Castle

The Torre Castle, with its park and archaeological museum, is one of the city's oldest landmarks. The Giostra, organized by the Associazione Il Castello di Torre with the support of the Municipality of Pordenone, the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region, and the Ministry, is the perfect opportunity to discover this piece of history within the context of Pordenone, Italian Capital of Culture 2027.