Ottava de Santo Egidio (Orte Medieval Octave)

A festival rooted in the Middle Ages

The Ottava de Santo Egidio, also known as the Orte Medieval Octave, is one of the most ancient and deeply-rooted historical re-enactments in the Lazio region. It takes place in the town of Orte, in the province of Viterbo, a Tuscia city overlooking the Tiber valley on the border with Umbria. The festival celebrates the patron saint Saint Giles and traces its roots to a tradition solemnized in 1396 by Pope Boniface IX, who granted the city the same indulgences as the Porziuncola in Assisi: since then, the saint's octave—the eight days following the feast—has been the highlight of the local calendar.

The seven districts

The heart of the event lies in the seven districts into which the city is historically divided: San Gregorio, Porcini, Sant'Angelo, San Giovenale, Olivola, San Biagio, and San Sebastiano. Each district has its own colors, coat of arms, and people, and every evening one of them takes center stage with performances, processions, games, and ancient music. The rivalry is sporting and lighthearted, yet the sense of belonging is profound: entire families work year-round on costumes, scenery, and kitchens.

Taverns, crafts, and daily life

During the octave, the historic center is transformed. In medieval palaces and cellars, the district taverns open their doors, where local women prepare traditional Tuscia dishes accompanied by local wines. Artisan workshops are reconstructed in the alleys, showcasing the daily life of the 14th century, featuring blacksmiths, weavers, potters, and apothecaries. There is no shortage of traveling performances by jesters, fire-eaters, stilt-walkers, flag-wavers, and drummers, nor spaces designed for children like the Fairy Tale Castle and the Cloister of Taste.

The Archers' Palio

Everything culminates on the final Sunday. In the afternoon, hundreds of participants in 14th-century costumes march in the grand historical pageant through the city streets; immediately after, the Archers' Palio of the seven districts takes place on the competition field. The archers shoot with medieval-style wooden bows at targets that progressively shrink, competing for the silver ring, the festival's symbolic prize. In the preceding days, minor challenges between districts also take place, such as the drumming contest and gastronomic competitions.

More than just a show

The Octave is also a cultural project: each edition features a theme explored through seminars and conferences with Italian and international scholars, exhibitions, and publications. The Ente Ottava Medievale, which organizes the event with the patronage of the Municipality of Orte, ranked second in the national fund for historical re-enactments by the Ministry of Culture, a recognition of the research work behind the festival.

Why visit

• An authentic re-enactment, created by locals rather than staged for tourists
• A spectacular tuff-stone village, among the most beautiful in upper Lazio
• Traditional Tuscia cuisine in the taverns at affordable prices
• Easy access by train from Rome, Florence, and Perugia
• Two weeks of events: you can choose the evening that suits you best