Quintana di Ascoli Piceno

The Quintana, the medieval soul of Ascoli Piceno

Every summer, the historic centre of Ascoli Piceno, a travertine jewel among the most beautiful villages in the Marche region, travels back six centuries. The Quintana di Ascoli Piceno is a historical reenactment set in the 15th century, culminating in a spectacular knightly tournament: knights from the six city sestieri (districts) charge at a gallop along a figure-eight course to strike the Moro with their lances, a rotating dummy armed with a mace representing the ancient Saracen enemy.

An ancient tradition, from the Statutes of 1377

The event's roots lie in the Middle Ages: the tournament is already mentioned in the city Statutes of 1377, where it appears as a well-established tradition linked to the festivals honouring Sant'Emidio, the city's patron saint. After centuries of interruptions, the Quintana was revived in 1955 thanks to the commitment of a group of scholars and enthusiasts, and it is now one of the most beloved reenactments in Italy, managed by the Municipality of Ascoli Piceno and the Council of Elders.

The six sestieri and the historical parade

The competitive heart of the Quintana is the rivalry between the six sestieri into which the city is divided: Piazzarola, Porta Maggiore, Porta Romana, Porta Solestà, Porta Tufilla, and Sant'Emidio. Before the tournament, the city streets fill for the grand historical parade with over 1,400 participants in filologically accurate costumes, inspired by the Renaissance paintings of Carlo Crivelli: ladies, knights, dignitaries, soldiers, flag-throwers, and musicians parade in a living tableau of rare beauty.

The two tournaments: July and August

The 2026 season features two tournaments. The July Tournament, held in the evening, is dedicated to the Madonna della Pace (Our Lady of Peace), while the August Tournament, the most solemn, takes place in honour of Sant'Emidio. Both are held at the Campo Squarcia (Field of Games), where each knight completes three runs: speed, precision, and cool-headedness determine the winner of the precious Palio (banner).

A festival that lasts for weeks

The Quintana is not just the tournament: the calendar includes the Archers' Palio, the Flag-throwers' and Musicians' Palio in Piazza del Popolo, the evocative ceremonies of the greeting to the Madonna della Pace, the reading of the Challenge Proclamation in Piazza Arringo, and the Offering of the Candles. For weeks, the entire community of Ascoli Piceno lives to the rhythm of drums and the colours of the sestieri, in one of the strongest identity experiences in the Marche region.