Medieval Evenings and Palio dei Cruillas

Calatabiano returns to the Middle Ages

The Medieval Evenings and the Palio dei Cruillas are the grand historical re-enactment of Calatabiano, a town in the province of Catania overlooking the Alcantara Valley in Sicily. For a few summer nights, the ancient Gesù e Maria district and the old streets of the village transform into a medieval settlement: taverns lit by torches, banquets serving dishes with ancient flavors, street musicians and artists, and a crowd of costumed performers bringing the town's past to life.

The Cruyllas family and the castle

The event celebrates the most splendid era of Calatabiano, tied to the noble Cruyllas family (or Cruillas) of Catalan origin, who brought prestige to the Arab-Norman castle perched on the hill above the town during the Aragonese period. The historical pageant is dedicated to the Cruyllas coat of arms, still visible today in the castle hall and featured in Calatabiano's municipal emblem: about sixty performers parade in velvet, brocade, and damask, including ladies, courtiers, musicians, soldiers, drummers, and trumpeters, recreating the 14th-century court of the village lords.

The Palio dei Cruillas

The heart of the event is the Palio dei Cruillas, a chivalric joust where fourteen knights compete, each representing one of the municipalities of the Alcantara Valley. The competition takes place on a dirt track starting from Piazza del Mercato, preceded by the historical pageant and flag-wavers, testing the knights in various traditional challenges, from the ring race to the Saracen joust.

Shows, taverns, and tradition

• Court jesters, minstrels, stilt-walkers, and fire-eaters bring the village streets to life.
• Taverns offer traditional dishes, rediscovering ancient flavors.
• Falconry shows and fire performances accompany the evenings.
• The re-enactment of the pirate attack commemorates Saracen raids on the Ionian coast.
• The Festa al Borgo and the Saracen Evenings complete the program.

A village between sea, river, and castle

Calatabiano is located in a fascinating area, between the Ionian coast, the Alcantara River Park, and the Taormina region. The event is not just a show, but a way to rediscover the town's identity and its medieval roots, set in a natural and monumental landscape of rare beauty.