MedievAngelo - Palio of San Michele
The Middle Ages come alive in the alleys of the Cornicolani Mountains, featuring archers from across Italy
About MedievAngelo
A village returning to the Middle Ages
With MedievAngelo, the historic center of Sant'Angelo Romano transforms into an authentic medieval village. Perched about 400 meters high in the Cornicolani Mountains within the Metropolitan City of Rome, the town provides the perfect stage for a re-enactment featuring ladies, nobles, knights, men-at-arms, and commoners in period costume. From the panoramic Piazza Belvedere to Piazza Umberto I, the alleys and squares fill with encampments, musicians, jugglers, and fire shows: a sensory immersion of sounds, scents, rituals, and ancient crafts.
The Palio of San Michele and the six districts
The heart of the event is the Palio of San Michele, dedicated to the patron saint who gives the town its name. The six districts of Sant'Angelo Romano face off in a thrilling archery challenge that revives the spirit of ancient medieval competitions. The contest is preceded by the evocative blessing of the arrows and archers in the Church of San Michele, from which the Grand Historical Procession sets off to lead the districts toward the final arena.
A national historical archery tournament
MedievAngelo also serves as a stage for the L.I.A.S. National Championship (Italian League of Historical Archers). From the morning, archers and companies from across Italy compete on a course winding through the historic center, where precision, discipline, and honor meet as in ancient duels. The historical archery demonstrations are curated by the Castrum Sagittarii group, specialists in the discipline and co-organizers of the event.
Processions, flag-wavers, and visits to the Orsini-Cesi Castle
The afternoon is marked by the arrival of the Castel Madama Flag-Wavers, who perform spectacular flag-throwing routines, and the Grand Historical Procession that traverses the village. Don't miss the guided tours of the Orsini-Cesi Castle, led by local scholars and experts like Prof. Marco Giardini: a chance to discover the history of the fortress that dominates the town and its strategic importance in the defense system of the Cornicolani Mountains.
Local flavors and traditions
Along the festival route, food stalls offer local specialties and traditional Lazio dishes, perfect for a convivial break between challenges. The atmosphere is designed for families: children's games, entertainment, and ancient crafts make the day suitable for all ages.
A young but deeply rooted tradition
MedievAngelo was born from the commitment of the Compagnia Medioevale Santangelese, an association founded in October 2024 and chaired by Gabriella Latini, with the goal of reviving the characters, stories, and atmosphere of the Middle Ages. The event, organized in collaboration with Castrum Sagittarii and sponsored by the Municipality of Sant'Angelo Romano, debuted in 2025 and has already established itself as one of the most refined historical re-enactment events in the province of Rome and the Lazio region, blending sports competition, historical memory, and village celebration.
MedievAngelo — edition 2026
The 2026 edition of MedievAngelo, on Sunday, June 21, marks a step up for the young re-enactment of Sant'Angelo Romano: for the first time, the day hosts a national historical archery tournament valid for the L.I.A.S. Championship (Italian League of Historical Archers), with archers and companies arriving from all over Italy. The competition course winds from the morning through the alleys and squares of the historic center, from the panoramic Piazza Belvedere to the arena of Piazza Umberto I.
The afternoon is dedicated to the village festival: the arrival of the Castel Madama Flag-Wavers, the evocative blessing of the arrows, the Grand Historical Procession with ladies, nobles, knights, men-at-arms, and commoners, and at 5:00 PM, the highly anticipated Palio of San Michele between the six districts of the town. The program is completed by guided tours of the Orsini-Cesi Castle with Prof. Marco Giardini and expert Cristiano Massa, fire shows, jugglers, medieval musicians, and food stalls with local products. The event, organized by the Compagnia Medioevale Santangelese with Castrum Sagittarii and the patronage of the Municipality, is free to enter from 9:00 AM until the evening.
Programme MedievAngelo 2026
Sunday, June 21, 2026
- 8:00 AM — Opening of the competition field and archer preparation.
- 8:50 AM — The Herald announces the start of the competition.
- 9:00 AM - 9:30 AM — Start of the national historical archery tournament valid for the L.I.A.S. Championship, on a course through the alleys and squares of the historic center.
- 10:30 AM and 11:30 AM — Guided tours of the Orsini-Cesi Castle with Prof. Marco Giardini and expert Cristiano Massa.
- 12:15 PM — Opening of food stalls with local products.
- 3:00 PM — Arrival of the Castel Madama Flag-Wavers.
- 4:00 PM — Blessing of the arrows and archers in the Church of San Michele and departure of the Grand Historical Procession toward Piazza Umberto I, with ladies, nobles, knights, men-at-arms, and commoners of the six districts.
- 5:00 PM — Palio of San Michele: the district archers compete for the banner.
- 7:00 PM — Performance by the Castel Madama Flag-Wavers.
- Until approx. 10:00 PM — Fire shows, juggling, medieval musicians, and awards ceremony.
Highlights MedievAngelo 2026
- National historical archery tournament valid for the L.I.A.S. Championship, with companies from all over Italy.
- Palio of San Michele: the challenge to the last arrow between the six districts of Sant'Angelo Romano.
- Grand Historical Procession from the Church of San Michele to Piazza Umberto I.
- Performances by the Castel Madama Flag-Wavers.
- Guided tours of the Orsini-Cesi Castle with local scholars and experts.
- Fire shows, jugglers, musicians, and food stalls.
Prices MedievAngelo 2026
Practical information — MedievAngelo
How to get there
Sant'Angelo Romano is located about 30 km northeast of Rome, in the Cornicolani Mountains. By car: from Rome, take Via Nomentana or Via Palombarese (SP 23a) to the junction for Sant'Angelo Romano; from the A1 motorway, take the Guidonia Montecelio exit and follow signs for Sant'Angelo Romano. By bus: Cotral connections are available from Rome (Ponte Mammolo) via Mentana or Guidonia.
Admission
The event is free to enter. Guided tours of the Orsini-Cesi Castle take place at scheduled times throughout the day.
Contact
Phone: +39 347 6155294 — Email: [email protected]
Tips
The village is perched on a hill and the route includes alleys and inclines: comfortable shoes are recommended. Parking in the historic center is limited during festival days; arriving in the morning is advised.
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Where does it take place — MedievAngelo
Centro storico e Piazza Umberto I
Piazza Umberto I, 00010 Sant'Angelo Romano