Stagion Bona Festival

A day in the Chianti Middle Ages

The Stagion Bona Festival is the most anticipated event of the year in Panzano in Chianti, an ancient hilltop village within the municipality of Greve in Chianti, in the province of Florence, in the heart of Tuscany. Every April 25th, the cobblestone streets, Piazza Ricasoli, and the castle area fill with costumed figures, the aromas of Tuscan cuisine, and the sound of drums: for one full day, Panzano returns to being a fortified 14th-century village, the stage for one of the most famous feuds in Chianti history.

The feud between the Gherardini and Firidolfi

The heart of the event is the historical re-enactment of the ancient dispute between two powerful local noble houses. According to chronicles, two members of the Gherardini family, linked to the castle of Montagliari, killed Antonio, brother of Luca di Totto de' Firidolfi, lord of the castle of Panzano. Luca swore revenge and, years later, in 1346, captured the surviving Gherardini near Florence. As he noted himself in his Ricordanze (Memoirs), the affair ended with the lapidary phrase: "We were upon him and sent him to paradise." It is this story of blood, honor, and vengeance that comes to life every year in the procession and the medieval trial scene.

The procession and performances

In the afternoon, the historical procession winds through the village starting from the Castle and reaches Piazza Ricasoli, where the re-enactment takes place, culminating in the famous "solemn hanging," a symbol of medieval justice. The parade is accompanied by flag-wavers and musicians, street performers, historical combat, medieval games, and archery. In the evening, the show by the Giullari Fiorentini, dancing in the square, and fireworks close the festival in an atmosphere of great popular participation.

The flavors of Tuscan tradition

The food stalls managed by the volunteers of the Il Grondino Association are an integral part of the festival: you can taste local specialties such as ribollita, lampredotto, porchetta, ficattole, fritters, and sandwiches, paired with Chianti Classico wine, of which Panzano is one of the most renowned cradles. There are also craft markets and educational stands dedicated to ancient knowledge and trades.

A festival made by the community

The Stagion Bona Festival is organized by the Il Grondino Cultural Tourism Association, with the patronage of the Municipality of Greve in Chianti. Behind the event is the work of over fifty volunteers of all ages, who sew costumes, build sets, set up stalls, and bring the village to life every year. It is precisely this spirit of community that makes the Stagion Bona much more than a re-enactment: a true celebration of the identity of the Florentine Chianti, capable of uniting residents, curious onlookers, and tourists from all over Tuscany and beyond.