Giostra dell'Arme di San Gemini

A Reenactment Rooted in the 14th Century

The Giostra dell'Arme di San Gemini is one of Umbria's most important and ancient reenactment events, with traces of its existence found in the Municipal Statutes of the 14th century. Originally a popular game, over the centuries it has transformed into the grand festival that still animates the village of San Gemini, in the province of Terni, in honor of the patron saint Santo Gemine, whose feast day is October 9th.

The Two Districts and the Equestrian Challenge

The heart of the Giostra is the equestrian competition pitting the two city districts against each other: the Rione Rocca, in the upper northern part of the town, and the Rione Piazza, named after Piazza San Francesco, the civic heart of the village. Six knights, three per district, charge at a gallop to pierce a ring just five centimeters in diameter with their lances and then strike the noble shield called 'arme'. The prize is the silver 'palio', contested in a trial that scholars deem among the most technically demanding of all Italian equestrian reenactments.

Taverns, Parades, and Shows

Throughout the event, the historic center of San Gemini dresses up in medieval attire once more: historic shops reopen, the streets fill with costumed figures, and every evening the Rione Taverns open their doors, offering traditional dishes and local wines in an authentic period atmosphere. Each year, the Ente Giostra dell'Arme (Giostra dell'Arme Authority) also chooses a theme that serves as a common thread for conferences, exhibitions, and performances, delving into historical and artistic aspects of the Middle Ages. The reenactment aspect is also entrusted to the Compagnia dell'Ariete, a group of flag-wavers and armed performers who organize parades and historical combat demonstrations.

An Event for All of Umbria

Considered one of the leading medieval reenactments in central Italy, the Giostra dell'Arme is an opportunity to discover San Gemini, an elegant village in the Terni Valnerina valley, also known for its mineral waters, and to experience Umbrian medieval life through history, gastronomy, and entertainment. All information is available on the website of the Ente Giostra dell'Arme.