Italy Events, Festivals, street festivals, Markets Toscana, Umbria, Napoli area, North Italy

Festivals in Toscana

Steeped in centuries of rich history stretching far back through medieval times to the Etruscan era Tuscany has had plenty of time to establish some of the most enticing cultural festivals.

The region recently featured in the opening sequences of James Bond; Quantum of Solace in which a chase scene took place through the preserved streets of Sienna during the historical Palio. A festival of sport and local rivalries The Palio is a unique horse race that takes place in the piazza del publico in the centre of this medieval city.

The sights and sounds of competing contrada, municipal districts named after animals, is hard to beat. Each contrada parades through the streets in the days leading up to the race dressed in ornate historical clothing, banging drums and waving flags with awe-inspiring and well-rehearsed precision. On race days, July 2 and August 16, the city is filled to bursting with a party atmosphere and all the excitement of up close bareback horse riding.

For something a little less exhausting the ancient hilltop town of Montelpulciano hosts the Bravio delle Botti during the last week of August. This picturesque town is famed for its surrounding vineyards and has been hosting the wine festival since the 17th century. A week of different ceremonies and special wine tastings culminates in a barrel rolling contest through the narrow streets.

about us Festivals, street festivals in Tuscany, Umbria

EVENTS IN THE NEARBY AREA
FOIANO DELLA CHIANA
- June, recollection of the Battle of Scannagallo (1554). More info at www.scannagallo.com/home.htm
- February, for four Sundays Italy’s most ancient Carnival.

AREZZO !!!!
- Each month’s first Sunday FIERA DELL’ANTIQUARIATO (antique fair)
- June e Septemper: GIOSTRA DEL SARACINO

CORTONA
-Giostra dell'Archidado crossbow competition held in late May or early June usually on the Sunday of Pentecost (Whitsunday) but this year apparently one week earlier on Sunday 5 June 2011 . Every year, a procession of 300 or more people wearing wonderful mediaeval costumes as well as many riders on their horses
-15th of August SAGRA DELLA BISTECCA (Festival of steak)
- August SAGRA DEL FUNGO PORCINO (Festival of cep mushroom)
- August: TUSCAN SUN FESTIVAL 30.7 – 7.8 2011 Cortona http://www.tuscansunfestival.com/136+M54a708de802.html
MONTE SAN SAVINO
- End of June, LE ALLEGREZZE, historical recollection of the investiture of Monte San Savino’s first Count.
- September SAGRA DELLA PORCHETTA (Festival of roasted pork)
- Last Sunday of November FIERA DI SANTA CATERINA
This fair, also known as the Horse Fair and warmer with the whistle, held last Saturday and Sunday in November and has numerous stalls that give life to the old town and its surroundings.