Polso Sano

Polso Sano: when Pulsano returns to the Middle Ages

In the heart of the Salento summer, the ancient village of Pulsano, in the province of Taranto (Apulia), transforms for two days into a medieval settlement. Polso Sano is the historical re-enactment of the Municipality of Pulsano, one of the most cherished and long-standing in the region: established in 1977, the event reached its 40th edition in 2025, attracting thousands of visitors every year to the streets of the historic center and Piazza Castello, at the foot of the De Falconibus Castle.

The legend of the "healthiest wrist"

The event is rooted in a historical episode: in 1407, Princess Maria d'Enghien of Taranto and King Ladislaus of Anjou-Durazzo, following their wedding, reportedly made their entrance into Pulsano as guests of Baron Marino De Falconibus, lord of the fiefdom. From that memory comes the famous tournament that gives the event its name: the ancient arm-wrestling challenge between the rioni (districts) of the town, which still crowns the man with the "healthiest wrist" of the fiefdom today. The re-enactment is included in the mapping of historical re-enactments promoted by the Central Institute for Intangible Heritage of the Ministry of Culture.

What to see

For two evenings, the historic center of Pulsano is populated by characters in period costumes. The grand historical pageant winds through the alleys with ladies, knights, nobles, commoners, men-at-arms, and the Chiarine (heraldic trumpets) of Pulsano, reaching Piazza Castello where the royal couple watches the performances.

• Historical costume pageant through the streets of the old town
• Arm-wrestling tournament between the districts, the highlight of the evening
• Medieval tavern with traditional dishes: spit-roasted meat, handmade pasta, cured meats, and cheeses
• Performances by flag-wavers, jesters, stilt-walkers, fire-eaters, and musicians
• Medieval dances and performances in the square
• Medieval games, puppet theater, and activities for children

A community celebration

Organized by the Pro Loco of Pulsano with the patronage of the Municipality, Polso Sano is much more than a show: it is a collective ritual that involves associations, districts, and residents, all called upon to sew costumes, set up taverns, and animate the corners of the village. The setting of the De Falconibus Castle and the squares of the historic center makes the event one of the most evocative experiences of the summer in the province of Taranto, in a corner of Apulia overlooking the Ionian Sea. Admission to the event is traditionally free.