The Captain's Days

A Village Returns to the Renaissance

Every summer, the historic center of Bagno di Romagna, in the province of Forlì-Cesena, transforms into an open-air set in the Renaissance. The Captain's Days are a historical re-enactment that revives a tradition deeply linked to the identity of this corner of the Tuscan-Romagnol Apennines: the period when the Medici family annually sent a trusted man to the so-called Val di Bagno to "captain" the entire territory on behalf of the Grand Duchy of Tuscany.

The History Being Re-enacted

Bagno di Romagna was a borderland under Florentine rule for a long time: the Grand Duchy of Tuscany governed this territory until 1923, and evidence of this remains today in the historic Palazzo del Capitano on Via Fiorentina. The event meticulously reconstructs the customs of the late fifteenth century, ideally taking the village back to the Year of Our Lord 1485: residents and participants wear period costumes, shops and squares fill with colors, scents, and sounds of yesteryear, while the arrival and installation of the new Captain become the narrative thread of the entire festival.

What to See in the Village

During the re-enactment days, the village comes alive with a rich and varied program:

• Historical costume parades with drummers, trumpeters, and guest historical groups, including the Historical Group of Forlimpopoli;
• Medieval market with artisans, stalls, and period products along the streets of the center;
• Flag-throwers and musicians, Renaissance dances, and "Captain's dances" in the main squares;
• Theatrical and street performances, weapon games, jousts, and demonstrations like the Saracen Joust;
• Wooden games for children and medieval-themed workshops;
• the costumed mass and the solemn oath of the Captain, a symbolic moment that concludes the event, accompanied by fireworks.

Renaissance Flavors

Alongside the performances, gastronomy plays a leading role: in past editions, the festival has featured a Renaissance gastronomic walk involving the village's restaurants, with dishes inspired by court cuisine and local wines. It's an opportunity to discover the flavors of the Tuscan-Romagnol Apennines in a unique setting.

Why It's Worth the Trip

The Captain's Days are much more than a simple village festival: they are an event of identity that tells five centuries of history of the relationship between the Bagno Valley and Florence. Organized by the Pro Loco of Bagno di Romagna with the patronage of the Municipality, the re-enactment is free and suitable for the whole family, and fits perfectly into a holiday among the thermal baths, forests, and villages of the upper Savio Valley, in Emilia-Romagna.