Serremaggio – Ciambragina Festival

A week of festivities in the heart of the Crete Senesi

Serremaggio is the annual event that, during the third week of May, brings the village of Serre di Rapolano—a hamlet within the municipality of Rapolano Terme in the province of Siena—to life amidst the unmistakable landscape of the Crete Senesi. For six days, from Tuesday to Sunday, the historic center becomes the stage for a packed calendar of events blending history, culture, and social gathering: theatrical performances, musical evenings, tournaments, photography exhibitions, workshops, and gastronomic delights fill the village squares and alleys.

The Ciambragina Festival

The heart of Serremaggio is the Ciambragina Festival, a grand medieval historical re-enactment held over the final weekend. The festival is named after Ciambragina, a young woman of French origin from Cambrai who lived between the late 14th and early 15th centuries. She married the wealthy Sienese merchant Giovanni de' Rossi, who brought her to Serre, where the couple acquired the Cassero and made it their home. Every year, the village builds a fascinating journey through time around this historical figure.

During the re-enactment, the village is transformed into a 14th-century settlement: the historical pageant, the medieval market of Pulceto, taverns, ancient trades, and scenes of daily life from a bygone era come to life. With falconers, flag-wavers, drummers, historical groups, theater companies, and street performers, the medieval atmosphere envelops every corner of the historic center until late in the evening.

A rich program for the whole family

Alongside the re-enactment, Serremaggio offers a varied calendar suitable for all ages. Throughout the week, the program includes:

• Musical evenings and DJ sets in the main square, featuring the "SerreMAGGIO Night";
• Theatrical performances and initiatives dedicated to local schools;
• Tournaments and games, such as the Burraco tournament and the interactive "Crime in the Village" game;
• Photography exhibitions and displays at the Museo dell'Antica Grancia;
• Excursions and historical walks, including the "Serremaggio Trekking" on Sunday morning;
• Ancient craft workshops for adults and children alike.

Flavors and tradition

The culinary dimension is not to be missed: throughout the festival, the village's dining spots remain open, including the famous spaghetteria, the pizzeria, and stands featuring local products, as well as themed dinners such as the Chianina beef tasting. Fine dining thus accompanies the re-enactment experience, in true Tuscan village festival style.

A community celebration

Organized by the Pro Loco Serremaggio with the involvement of hundreds of volunteers, Serremaggio is much more than a simple re-enactment: it is the living expression of the identity of a small Tuscan village that, every spring, rallies around its own history to share it with visitors from all over the region and beyond.