Historical Re-enactment of the Gift of the Holy Thorns

The 30th edition, August 11th-13th, 2026

Reaching the thirtieth edition gives special significance to the 2026 Ariano event, which also coincides with the eighth centenary of the birth of Charles I of Anjou (1226-2026), the absolute protagonist of the re-enactment. A seminar on Angevin heraldry and vexillology at Palazzo Forte was dedicated to the celebration cycle, while in June, over two hundred local schoolchildren marched in a dedicated historical pageant, a sign of how deeply rooted the event is in the community.

The three evenings

The structure of the re-enactment remains consistent: August 11th features the representation of the 1255 capture, destruction, and burning of Ariano, concluding in Piazza Plebiscito with the spectacular burning of the Cathedral bell tower; August 12th hosts the grand historical pageant with hundreds of participants in 13th-century attire, departing from the Norman Castle and heading along Via Castello, Via Tribunali, and Via D'Afflitto toward Piazza Plebiscito and Piazza Duomo, where the gift of the Holy Thorns is staged, followed by the reception of the relics and the solemn celebration of Vespers; August 13th features the Palio delle Contrade, the challenge between the city's districts in the presence of the King and his court, and the historical dinner Buffata De Li Strazzanti in Piazzetta Santo Stefano.

Around the re-enactment

Throughout the event, the historic center hosts medieval camps, taverns, and markets, flag-wavers, jesters, musicians, and demonstrations of falconry and archery. The 2026 edition is part of the Ariano Città dei Grandi Eventi program, the network coordinating the city's main events alongside the Ariano International Film Festival, the Ariano Folkfestival, and the Pizza Festival.

Prologue — Sunday, June 28th, 2026

• Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta: solemn investiture ceremony of the Captain and the Castellana of the Contrade, official opening of the 30th edition.

Tuesday, August 11th, 2026 — The capture and burning of Ariano (1255)

• Afternoon and evening: opening of medieval camps, taverns, and markets in the historic center; flag-wavers, jesters, musicians, falconry, and archery.
• Late evening, Piazza Plebiscito: scenic representation of the capture, destruction, and burning of the city by Manfred's troops, with the famous burning of the Cathedral bell tower and surrounding buildings (in recent editions around 10:15 PM).

Wednesday, August 12th, 2026 — The Gift of the Holy Thorns (1269)

• Day of medieval animation in the historic center, between the Norman Castle and the Villa Comunale.
• Evening: historical pageant with hundreds of participants in period costumes, departing from the Norman Castle and following the route Via Castello, Via Tribunali, Via D'Afflitto, Piazza Plebiscito, Piazza Duomo (in recent editions departing around 6:30 PM).
• Following: re-enactment of the arrival of Charles I of Anjou and the gift of the two thorns from the Crown of Christ to Bishop Pellegrino, reception of the Holy Thorns, and solemn celebration of Vespers in the Cathedral.

Thursday, August 13th, 2026 — The Palio delle Contrade

• Palio delle Contrade: games and challenges between the districts of Ariano Irpino (Accoli, Cardito, Cattedrale, Cerreto, Martiri, Orneta, San Liberatore, San Rocco, Santa Barbara, Tressanti, Valleluogo, Guardia, and others), in the presence of the King and his court.
• Evening, Piazzetta Santo Stefano: Buffata De Li Strazzanti, historical costume dinner by reservation (in recent editions from 8:30 PM).
• Closing of the event with a fireworks display.

Exact times for the 30th edition are published by the Sante Spine Association on the website santespine.it and on the official Facebook page in the days preceding the event: it is recommended to check them before departing.

• The burning of the bell tower in Piazza Plebiscito, the most spectacular scene of the three evenings.
• The historical pageant on August 12th, with hundreds of participants in 13th-century attire from the Norman Castle to Piazza Duomo.
• The exhibition and reception of the Holy Thorns, the two relics kept in Ariano since 1269 in a silver reliquary.
• The Palio delle Contrade, the popular challenge between the city's districts.
• The Buffata De Li Strazzanti, a historical costume dinner in Piazzetta Santo Stefano.
• Falconry, archery, flag-wavers, camps, and medieval markets spread throughout the historic center.

How to get there

By car: A16 Naples-Canosa motorway, exit Grottaminarda, then SS90 delle Puglie towards Ariano Irpino (about 15 km). From Foggia, arrive via the SS90. By train: Ariano Irpino station on the Benevento-Foggia line, connected to the city center by bus; alternatively, reach Benevento or Avellino stations and continue by bus. Nearest airport: Naples-Capodichino (about 100 km).

Admission and costs

The re-enactment takes place in the streets and squares of the historic center and is free and open to the public. Only certain side events require payment, particularly the Buffata De Li Strazzanti historical dinner, which requires reservation and includes the rental of a period costume.

Practical tips

The historic center is closed to traffic during the event evenings: it is advisable to leave your car in the parking lots at the base of the town and walk up. The streets of the 'Tricolle' are uphill and often cobbled: comfortable shoes are essential. For the historical pageant and the burning of the bell tower, it is best to arrive in Piazza Plebiscito and Piazza Duomo at least an hour in advance. In August, attendance is high and local accommodation is limited: book well in advance in Ariano Irpino or nearby towns (Grottaminarda, Mirabella Eclano, Savignano Irpino).

Contacts

Associazione Rievocazione Storica del Dono delle Sante Spine APS — Largo Sant'Andrea 16, via R. D'Afflitto, 83031 Ariano Irpino (AV). Phone +39 328 9056643, e-mail [email protected], website santespine.it.