Medieval Banquet
The historical reenactment dinner of the Terziere di Porta Fiorentina in the San Francesco Cloister
About Medieval Banquet
A dinner in the Late Middle Ages in Castiglion Fiorentino
The Medieval Banquet is one of the most beloved events in the calendar of Castiglion Fiorentino, a village in the Valdichiana in the Province of Arezzo, in the heart of Tuscany. Organized by the Terziere di Porta Fiorentina, one of the city's three historic districts, the event is not just a themed dinner but a true reenactment that transports guests to the atmosphere and flavors of the Late Middle Ages.
The San Francesco Cloister
The setting is the truly evocative Cloister of the Church of San Francesco, meticulously decorated to ensure total immersion. The tables are dressed in jute and raw linen, illuminated by candles, with centerpieces of aromatic herbs and bowls of rose-scented water for guests. Everything is designed so that those at the table forget the present and let themselves be enveloped by the setting.
The flavors of the Middle Ages
The menu is the real star: highly refined dishes with the sweet-and-sour and spiced flavors typical of the Late Middle Ages, served according to the customs of the time in terracotta bowls, with wooden cutlery and wine poured into goblets. It is a cuisine that tells a story, far from contemporary dishes and faithful to the recipes of the time.
Entertainment and performers
The evening opens with a procession of performers through the streets of the historic center and continues with the welcome of the guests by the lords and ladies of the house, in strict period costume. During the banquet, performances by jesters, jugglers, musicians, and flag-wavers alternate, while the Herald reads the Canto. In short, the show is all around the table.
Part of the Maggio Castiglionese
The Medieval Banquet is part of the rich program of the Maggio Castiglionese, the month of events that enlivens Castiglion Fiorentino with flowers, culture, food and wine, and district traditions. Traditionally, the dinner takes place on the Saturday preceding the fourth Sunday of May. Places are limited and booking is mandatory: a detail that makes the experience even more exclusive and a must-attend event for those who love historical reenactments and good food.
Medieval Banquet — edition 2026
The 22nd edition of the Medieval Banquet took place on Saturday, May 23, 2026, in the Cloister of the Church of San Francesco, organized by the Terziere di Porta Fiorentina as part of the Maggio Castiglionese. Guests were welcomed by the lords and ladies of the house in strict period costume, in a setting curated down to the smallest detail to recreate the medieval atmosphere.
The evening featured sweet-and-sour and spiced dishes typical of the Late Middle Ages, served in terracotta bowls with wooden cutlery and wine, accompanied by performances by jesters, jugglers, musicians, and flag-wavers. Participation, as per tradition, was reserved for a limited number of seats with mandatory reservation.
Programme Medieval Banquet 2026
Saturday, May 23, 2026
- 19:30 — Procession of performers through the streets of the Historic Center, with a performance at Porta Fiorentina
- 20:00 — Welcome of guests by guest groups and hosts in period costume
- 20:30 — Entrance to the San Francesco Cloister and start of the Medieval Banquet
- 21:00 — Reading of the Canto by the Herald
Throughout the evening, performances by jesters, jugglers, musicians, and flag-wavers alternate. The dishes, with the sweet-and-sour and spiced flavors typical of the Late Middle Ages, are served in terracotta bowls with wooden cutlery; the tables are set with jute and raw linen, candles, centerpieces of aromatic herbs, and bowls of rose-scented water.
Highlights Medieval Banquet 2026
- Procession of costumed performers through the historic center
- Dinner with Late Middle Ages dishes served in terracotta bowls
- Reading of the Herald's Canto
- Performances by jesters, jugglers, musicians, and flag-wavers
- Immersive setting in the San Francesco Cloister
Prices Medieval Banquet 2026
Practical information — Medieval Banquet
Where
Cloister of the Church of San Francesco, Piazza San Francesco, 52043 Castiglion Fiorentino (AR), Tuscany.
How to get there
By car: take the Monte San Savino exit on the A1 motorway, then the SS73 towards Castiglion Fiorentino. By train: Castiglion Fiorentino station on the Florence–Rome line, a short distance from the historic center.
Reservations
Limited seating, mandatory reservation. Phone: +39 328 7817212 and +39 348 3079053. Email: [email protected]. Website: www.terziereportafiorentina.it.
Tip
Given the limited availability of seats, it is advisable to book well in advance.
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Where does it take place — Medieval Banquet
Chiostro della Chiesa di San Francesco
Piazza San Francesco, 52043 Castiglion Fiorentino