Giostra dell'Archidado

The Giostra dell'Archidado in Cortona

The Giostra dell'Archidado is the grand medieval historical re-enactment of Cortona, a stunning hilltop village in the province of Arezzo, Tuscany. Every year, between May and June, the historic center of Cortona dresses up for the occasion and travels back six centuries, bringing the splendor of the city during the Casali era to life. Costumed processions, ladies and knights, jesters, falconers, flag-wavers, and musicians animate the medieval squares and alleys, leading up to the final crossbow duel that awards the coveted trophy.

Origins and Legend

The event has its roots in the Middle Ages and was officially established in 1397 to celebrate the wedding between Francesco Casali, Lord of Cortona, and the Sienese noblewoman Antonia Salimbeni. That marriage was a major event for Central Italy at the time, with guests and gifts arriving from Florence, Rimini, and Città di Castello. The joust commemorates those festivities and the skill challenge among the city's crossbowmen.

The Five Districts and the Golden Verretta

At the heart of the competition are the five quintieri (districts) into which Cortona is ideally divided: Sant'Andrea, San Marco e Poggio, Peccioverardi, San Vincenzo, and Santa Maria. Each district fields its own crossbowmen, who shoot with traditional Italian antique crossbows in Piazza Signorelli to hit the target and achieve the highest score. The prize at stake is the verretta d'oro: in the Cortona tradition, a 'verretta' is a specific conical-tipped bolt used for the crossbow. The winning district takes home the trophy and the honor until the following edition.

A Month of Medieval Festivities

The Giostra dell'Archidado is more than just the final challenge: it is a long calendar of events that brings Cortona to life for weeks. It begins with the evocative wax pouring ceremony and the offering of candles to Saint Margaret, the city's patron saint, and continues with the international flag festival Bigordi e Banderie, medieval markets featuring ancient crafts and flavors, the Palio delle Civette archery contest, and the spectacular re-enactment of the wedding between Francesco and Antonia. It is the perfect opportunity to discover Cortona, a city of Etruscan and medieval art overlooking the Val di Chiana.