San Jacopo Patronal Feast and Medieval Altopascio
The patron saint's feast and a journey into the Middle Ages along the Via Francigena
About San Jacopo Altopascio
The patronal feast of Altopascio
On July 25th, Altopascio, a municipality in the Province of Lucca, Tuscany, pauses to honor its patron saint, Saint James the Greater (Saint James the Apostle), the titular saint of the town's parish church. It is the most cherished celebration of the year, part of the municipal summer calendar known as Luglio Altopascese, and culminates in the traditional procession during which the clergy and the faithful carry the precious relic of Saint James's arm through the streets of the village.
Convivium. Medioevo e OspitalitÃ
In recent years, a grand historical re-enactment, Convivium. Medioevo e Ospitalità , has grown around the religious solemnity, organized by the Contrade San Paolino of Lucca in collaboration with the Municipality of Altopascio. The historic center transforms into a medieval village animating three town squares: Piazza Ricasoli, Piazza Garibaldi, and Piazza Ospitalieri. The name Convivium itself evokes the history of the Tau territory and the ancient hospitality of the people of Altopascio, who once welcomed pilgrims traveling along the Via Francigena into their own homes.
Crafts, shows, and traditions
Amidst encampments, historic workshops, and live demonstrations, visitors can watch artisans in period costumes working with leather, iron, ceramics, wood, and wool, and admire the medieval oven with its stone mill where bread is produced. The days are marked by drummers and musicians, historical dances, storytellers and puppeteers, fire shows, historical fencing demonstrations, archery tournaments, and captivating falconry displays featuring dozens of birds of prey. The heart of the tradition is the Calderon d'Altopascio: in Piazza Garibaldi, pasta is distributed for free, recalling the ancient custom of offering food to passing travelers.
A heritage linked to the Via Francigena
Altopascio was a fundamental hub for pilgrim hospitality thanks to the Hospitaller Order of the Knights of the Tau, and this legacy lives on in every edition of the festival, complemented by the A tavola sulla Francigena gastronomic initiative, a popular raffle, and a fireworks display that closes the festivities. An event that unites the community of the Lucca Plain and attracts visitors from all over Tuscany.
San Jacopo Altopascio — edition 2026
The 2026 edition of the patronal feast of Saint James is confirmed in the Luglio Altopascese 2026 calendar of the Municipality of Altopascio, with the main festivities on July 24th and 25th. The religious solemnity with the procession of the relic of Saint James's arm and the medieval re-enactment Convivium. Medioevo e Ospitalità in the squares of the historic center will be renewed.
The detailed program for the 2026 edition, including times, shows, and guests, will be announced by the Municipality and the Contrade San Paolino in the weeks leading up to the festival.
Programme San Jacopo Altopascio 2026
The detailed program for the 2026 edition will be published by the Municipality of Altopascio and the Contrade San Paolino in the weeks leading up to the festival.
Based on previous editions, the festivities are generally structured as follows:
July 24 — Eve
- Evening: Concert in honor of the Patron Saint in Piazza Ospitalieri.
July 25 — Solemnity of Saint James the Greater
- Around 6:00 PM — Religious solemnity and traditional procession with the relic of Saint James's arm through the streets of the center.
- From 6:00 PM to midnight — Medieval re-enactment Convivium. Medioevo e Ospitalità in Piazza Ricasoli, Piazza Garibaldi, and Piazza Ospitalieri: medieval village with workshops and historical crafts, medieval oven with stone mill, falconry, historical fencing, tournaments, fire shows, drummers, dances, and musicians.
- Calderon d'Altopascio in Piazza Garibaldi: free distribution of pasta.
- A tavola sulla Francigena, popular raffle, and fireworks display to close the festivities.
Highlights San Jacopo Altopascio 2026
Prices San Jacopo Altopascio 2026
Practical information — San Jacopo Altopascio
When
The patronal festivities take place around July 25th, the feast day of Saint James the Greater. The medieval re-enactment 'Convivium' enlivens the evenings in the historic center, typically from 6:00 PM to midnight.
Where
Historic center of Altopascio (LU): Piazza Ricasoli, Piazza Garibaldi, and Piazza Ospitalieri. The procession winds through the town streets starting from the church of San Jacopo Maggiore.
Admission
Access to the festival and the medieval re-enactment is free. Some gastronomic initiatives (such as 'A tavola sulla Francigena') may require booking and a participation fee.
How to get there
Altopascio is accessible via the A11 Firenze-Mare motorway (Altopascio exit) and by train on the Florence-Lucca-Viareggio line. It is recommended to leave your car in the parking lots outside the town center.
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Where does it take place — San Jacopo Altopascio
Centro storico (Piazza Ricasoli, Piazza Garibaldi, Piazza Ospitalieri)