Segura Tempora

Segura Tempora: The 16th Century comes alive in Martinsicuro

Segura Tempora – At the borders of the Kingdom of Charles V is the historical re-enactment that brings Martinsicuro, a coastal town in the Province of Teramo, Abruzzo, to life every summer. For a few days, the town center travels back to the 16th century, transforming into a Renaissance village filled with period costumes, early music, traditional artisan workshops, and solemn processions. The event is promoted by the municipal administration through the Department of Culture and offers free admission.

The story of Martin de Segura

At the heart of the event is the figure of Martin de Segura, a Spanish nobleman and high-ranking official of the Kingdom of Naples, who served as master portolan of Abruzzo under Viceroy Pedro de Toledo. In 1547, by order of Emperor Charles V, he oversaw the construction of a fortification at the mouth of the Tronto River—then the northern border of the Kingdom of Naples—to watch for Saracen raids. A customs house was built alongside the tower. The town's very name, Martinsicuro, derives from this outpost and its architect. Today, the Torrione di Carlo V and the Customs House host the Antiquarium of Castrum Truentinum, the local archaeological museum.

Processions, theater, and a 16th-century fair

The re-enactment weaves together various forms of expression: the Historical Costume Procession, which marches from Piazza Cavour through the city to the seafront, featuring the court of Martin de Segura, ladies, knights, crossbowmen, and flag-wavers; the 16th-Century Fair, with folk dances, early music, and demonstrations of ancient trades (weavers, potters, artisans); and notable theatrical performances by professional companies, staging episodes inspired by local history and the great European literature of the time.

A local cultural project

Segura Tempora is part of the European cultural routes dedicated to Charles V ("The European Routes of Charles V") and was born from the desire to enhance the historical heritage of Martinsicuro, involving citizens and tourists in an authentic and participatory experience. The organization involves neighborhood committees, local associations, and, in recent editions, the nearby Municipality of Colonnella, in a network project that unites the villages on the border between Abruzzo and the Marche region.

Why attend

• Free historical re-enactment in the center of Martinsicuro
• Costumed procession, 16th-century fair, and evening theatrical shows
• Unique setting between the Torrione di Carlo V and the Adriatic seafront
• A vivid narrative of the history of the Kingdom of Naples and its northern frontier