Vicopisano Medieval Festival

A Tuscan village suspended in the Middle Ages

The Vicopisano Medieval Festival is one of the most evocative historical re-enactments in the province of Pisa. Every year, on the first weekend of September, the small village of Vicopisano leaves the present behind and dons the clothes, sounds, and scents of the Middle Ages. The cobblestone streets of the historic center, lit by torches and lanterns, fill with stalls, encampments, taverns, and shows, while the famous Rocca del Brunelleschi—a fortress designed by the great Florentine architect at the end of the 15th century—watches from above.

History of the event

Founded in 1996, the Festival has grown over nearly thirty years to become a benchmark for lovers of history and popular traditions in Tuscany. It is organized by the Associazione Festa Medievale di Vicopisano, which oversees every detail of the historical reconstruction with great attention to the authenticity of the settings, costumes, and period recipes.

What to experience during the Festival

Upon entering the village, visitors exchange their euros for medieval currency to purchase food and drinks in the taverns scattered along the streets, where one can enjoy frugal dishes and the famous vino rubro. Along the route, you will encounter:

• street performances with jesters, musicians, jugglers, and wandering artists;
• the medieval market with artisans and ancient trades;
• costumed processions and parades, encampments, and demonstrations of daily life;
• workshops and activities dedicated to children, especially on Sunday afternoons;
• windows adorned with drapes, wooden structures, and an atmosphere that suspends the visitor between the present and the past.

The Medieval Dinner

The gastronomic heart of the event is the Medieval Dinner held in the small square in front of the 14th-century Palazzo Pretorio. The menu is based on meticulous research into medieval cookbooks and is served according to the etiquette of the time: no forks or napkins, clay cups and bowls, wooden ladles, and a hand-washing ritual halfway through the meal. An immersive experience accompanied by street artists, jugglers, and musicians, with a limited number of seats that requires advance booking.

Vicopisano, a jewel of the Pisan Valdarno

Located in the heart of Tuscany, in the Municipality of Vicopisano in the province of Pisa, the event is also the perfect opportunity to discover one of the most fascinating villages of the lower Valdarno, with its Brunelleschi fortress, medieval towers, and views over the Pisan hills. A weekend that combines history, entertainment, gastronomy, and popular tradition in a unique urban setting.