Tuscany-Festivals

Festas

Almost every town a festival or two during the year. Some are for patron saints, some celebrate food, and some to commemorate events. In addition to the ones in Cortona, Spello, and Pisa, I managed to get to several others (San Gimignano, San Miniato, Monteriggioni, and Lucca).

There are common elements to all, contests of strength and skill, music and dance, food, authentic dress, craft demonstrations and markets, and a showcase of history that I don’t think a traveler or tourist passing through can fully appreciate. That doesn’t stop me from trying.

long bow contest San Gimignano

hitting the target  San Gimignano

markets San Gimignano

are you in the mood yet? San Gimignano

color bearer San Gimignano

tug of war San Gimignano

fierce San Gimignano

determined San Gimignano

will my daddy win? San Gimignano

musicians San Gimignano

young drummer San Gimignano

waiting nobility San Gimignano

trumpeteers San Gimignano

horses for the big race San Gimignano

what kind of horses have furry feet? San Gimignano

the town waits San Gimignano

blessing the riders San Gimignano

San Miniato church at sunset

waiting for dusk San Miniato

 

where else would you give a kid a lit candle in a paper lantern and tell them to go play? San Miniato

very strange fire dancer San Miniato

bonfires for San Giovanni

welcome to Monteriggioni, friend or foe?

kids’ games Monteriggioni

menu Monteriggioni

grossi, coins of the time, used to buy anything during the festival Monteriggioni

beginner crossbows Monteriggioni

musicians Monteriggioni

beeswax candles Monteriggioni

Monteriggioni

past their sell by date Monteriggioni

drafting a new knight Monteriggioni

stone carving exhibit Monteriggioni

Monteriggioni

elfish Monteriggioni

leather masks for what plagues you Monteriggioni

the battle camp Monteriggioni

drummers always mean something’s happening Lucca

pre-procession for the festa of San Paolo (Lucca)

crossbow competition Lucca

crowd showing its colors Lucca

troubador Lucca

flag throwers Lucca

nobility Lucca

showing the completed target to the crowd Lucca

the top three presented to the official Lucca

the winner Lucca

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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