Medieval Week – Tournament of the Keys and Angevin Historical Pageant
Lucera returns to the Middle Ages with the Tournament of the Keys and the Angevin Historical Pageant
Edition 2026 not confirmed to date
This edition has not been confirmed by the organiser to date. We recommend checking before going.
About Medieval Week of Lucera
A dive into the Middle Ages in the heart of the Capitanata
For one week in August, Lucera, an art city in the Province of Foggia in the heart of the Daunian Puglia region, transforms into a grand open-air stage. The Medieval Week is the city's most cherished event: costumed re-enactments, shows, games, and popular traditions involve the five historic districts and thousands of visitors, evoking the atmosphere of the 14th-century Angevin era.
The Medieval Village at the Fortress
The scenic heart of the festival is the majestic Swabian-Angevin Fortress, one of the largest in Europe, which hosts the Medieval Village: military encampments, ancient crafts, historical lectures, and spectacular falconry displays. Amidst swordsmen, ladies, archers, and artisans, the public relives the daily life of a medieval town.
The Tournament of the Keys and the Five Gates
The most anticipated moment is the Tournament of the Keys, the challenge between the Five Historic Gates of the city — Porta Albana, Porta Foggia, Porta San Giacomo, Porta San Severo, and Porta Troia — as they vie for the blue and gold Palio. Athletes from the districts compete in tests of skill and strength in the evocative setting of the Roman Amphitheatre, while the blessing of the Palio in Piazza Duomo officially kicks off the contest.
The Angevin Historical Pageant
The event culminates with the Angevin Historical Pageant, established in 1983, which commemorates the founding of the Civitas Sanctae Mariae commissioned by King Charles II of Anjou in 1300. Hundreds of participants in period costumes parade from the Fortress to Piazza Duomo, where the solemn ceremony of handing over the city's keys to the Virgin Mary takes place. It is a ritual of identity that unites history, faith, and civic pride.
Why it's worth the trip
The Medieval Week of Lucera is not just a simple summer festival: it is the living memory of a city that, after being a Saracen colony established by Frederick II, became an Angevin Christian stronghold. It is the perfect opportunity to discover the Daunia region, its historic center, the Gothic cathedral, and its extraordinary fortress.
Medieval Week of Lucera — edition 2026
The Medieval Week of Lucera returns in 2026 with its usual program of re-enactments, shows, and popular traditions in the historic center and at the Swabian-Angevin Fortress. At the moment, the official dates for the 2026 edition have not yet been communicated by the APS Cinque Porte Storiche - Città di Lucera. The event traditionally takes place in the second week of August, with the Angevin Historical Pageant falling on August 13th in recent years. This page will be updated as soon as the calendar and program are published.
Practical information — Medieval Week of Lucera
How to get there
By car: Take the Foggia exit on the A14 motorway, then the SS17 towards Lucera (about 20 km from Foggia). By train: Arrive at Foggia station, then take a bus or taxi to Lucera. By plane: Bari-Palese and Naples-Capodichino airports are both connected via motorway.
Tickets
The Medieval Village at the Fortress and the Angevin Historical Pageant have free admission. For the Tournament of the Keys at the Roman Amphitheatre, an entrance ticket is required (approx. €5 for the 2025 edition).
Tips
Wear comfortable shoes for the historic center and arrive early to secure a good spot along the parade route. August evenings in the square can be crowded.
Contacts
APS Cinque Porte Storiche - Città di Lucera — [email protected]
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Where does it take place — Medieval Week of Lucera
Centro storico e Fortezza Svevo-Angioina
Piazza Duomo, 71036 Lucera