Medieval Festivals of Offagna

Eight Days of the Middle Ages in Offagna

The Medieval Festivals of Offagna are one of the most anticipated events of the Marche summer. Every year, in the last week of July, the small municipality of Offagna, listed among The most beautiful villages in Italy and overlooking the Conero Riviera, transforms into a medieval citadel: for eight days, the streets of the historic center, dominated by the imposing 15th-century Fortress, are filled with ladies, knights, soldiers, musicians, jesters, and artisans in period costume.

The event, founded in 1988, is promoted by the "Comitato Feste Per Offagna" with the patronage of the Municipality of Offagna and is now one of the reference historical re-enactments in the province of Ancona and the entire Marche Region. In 2026, the festival will reach its 39th edition, with the theme "Land of Indissoluble Roots", a tribute to the origins and memory of the village.

The Crescia Contest

The highlight is the Crescia Contest, the challenge that sees the four districts into which the town is divided compete: Croce, Sacramento, San Bernardino, and Torrione. It is a unique competition of its kind in Italy because it is contested with four different weapons: bow, crossbow, mace, and lance. The joust takes place in Piazza della Contesa and keeps residents and visitors breathless until the proclamation of the winning district, awarded with a medieval dinner.

Parades, Shows, and Taverns

Alongside the competition, the program offers a rich calendar of events that liven up every evening:

• The Sunday historical parade, with over 300 participants in medieval costumes parading through the village;
• Shows by flag-wavers, musicians, and drummers in the squares and alleys;
• Falconry exhibitions, fire games, fire-eaters, and itinerant street performances;
• Weapon games, archery, and demonstrations of ancient crafts;
• Knighting ceremony, which closes the festival in Piazza del Maniero.

The medieval taverns set up within the village walls allow you to taste traditional dishes, first and foremost the Offagna crescia, the typical focaccia that gives the Contest its name, accompanied by local wines. Artisan shops and markets selling local products complete the atmosphere, while the medieval Fortress remains open for visits.

A Journey Through Time in the Heart of the Marche

Visiting the Medieval Festivals of Offagna means immersing yourself in an authentic and well-curated re-enactment, made of popular participation and passion for history. A few kilometers from Ancona and the beaches of the Conero, the village offers visitors the chance to experience the Middle Ages through re-enactments, gastronomy, and entertainment, in one of the most evocative settings in the Marche.