Sirventés - Medieval Festival

Sirventés: The Middle Ages come alive in Palena

In the heart of the Maiella, the village of Palena (Chieti province, Abruzzo) hosts the Sirventés - Medieval Festival every autumn, one of the most evocative historical re-enactments in the Abruzzo hinterland. The event was born from the desire to revive one of the most fascinating chapters of local history, tied to the figure of the knight and troubadour Sordello da Goito. In Provençal literature, the term "sirventés" refers to a poetic composition often of a satirical or political nature: a direct tribute to the art of the troubadours that enlivens the entire festival.

Sordello da Goito, Dante's Knight

The re-enactment revolves around a precise historical episode: in 1269, King Charles I of Anjou granted the castle of Palena to Sordello da Goito as a reward for his services in the war for the conquest of the Kingdom of Naples. Sordello, a poet and knight of Mantuan origin, was immortalized by Dante Alighieri, who cited him in the sixth canto of Purgatorio in the Divine Comedy. It is this bond between history, poetry, and literature that gives the Sirventés its central theme: courtly love, the hallmark of medieval chivalric culture.

Processions, performances, and taverns

For one day, the streets of Palena's historic center are filled with costumed characters, ladies, and knights. The program traditionally includes:

• the historical procession that crosses the village to Piazza Municipio, re-enacting the granting of the fief to Sordello;
• performances by flag-wavers and musicians, acrobats, jugglers, and itinerant performing arts companies;
• the opening of taverns managed by the Pro Loco, with traditional dishes served in the village squares;
• the medieval banquet set up in the evocative cloister of the former monastery of Sant'Antonio, enlivened by musicians and street artists.

One of Italy's most beautiful villages

Palena is part of the I Borghi più Belli d'Italia (Most Beautiful Villages in Italy) circuit and is located at an altitude of approximately 770 meters, between the Maiella and Monti Pizi massifs. The Sirventés enhances this natural and architectural setting, offering visitors an authentic immersion into medieval Abruzzo, far from the main tourist flows. The event is organized by the Municipality of Palena with the collaboration of the Pro Loco and local associations.

When it takes place

In recent years, the Sirventés has been held in autumn, with the 2025 edition (the 14th) taking place on October 11th. The dates for the 2026 edition have not yet been announced: it is recommended to check the official channels of the Municipality of Palena for updates.