Ut Armentur Balistari

A dive into the 14th century in Volterra

Every year, the scenic Piazza dei Priori, one of Italy's most beautiful medieval squares, hosts Ut Armentur Balistari, a tournament featuring the traditional bench crossbow that transports Volterra (Province of Pisa, Tuscany) back to the austere, chivalrous atmosphere of the 14th century. The Latin name, meaning "so that the crossbowmen may be armed," recalls a specific civic duty in mid-14th-century Volterra: the city districts and surrounding castles were required to present their best marksmen before the Notables, the City Prior, and the Captain of the Company, so that the most skilled could be enlisted in the city militia.

The challenge of the districts

The protagonists of the event are the eight city districts, which face off to win the coveted title of Priore dei Balestrieri. The competition takes place in several stages: two crossbowmen from each district first compete against one another, aiming at a small target just a few centimeters wide to determine who will represent their district in the City Company. The eight winners then advance to the grand final, where the duel is decided by the famous corniolo (or tasso) shot: a single, precise arrow aimed at a cone about 45 centimeters deep, which determines the absolute winner of the square.

The Priore dei Balestrieri

Whoever hits the corniolo with the greatest precision is crowned Priore dei Balestrieri and awarded the precious silver collar, the heraldic symbol of the event and the City of Volterra. It is the most anticipated and spectacular moment of the day, experienced with intense passion by the districts and the spectators alike.

The spectacle of the pageant

Beyond the competition, the event is an authentic historical spectacle: the public is accompanied by flag-wavers, clarion calls, and costumes that reconstruct the environment of 14th-century Volterra. The setting of the square, dominated by the Palazzo dei Priori, offers onlookers the thrill of a true medieval tournament.

A tradition organized by the Compagnia Balestrieri

The event is organized by the Compagnia Balestrieri della Città di Volterra, which preserves and passes down the art of bench crossbow shooting. The tournament is rooted in a re-enactment that has been running for decades, with recent editions celebrating fifty years since the first Balestro. "Ut Armentur Balistari" is today one of the most characteristic historical re-enactments in Volterra and all of Tuscany, blending sporting competition, historical memory, and community celebration.