Palio della Balestra, Medieval Crossbow Contest

  ItalyItalia's Travel Guide for Umbria: Neal Winfield

Gubbio, on the slopes of the Apennine Mountains, has an ancient history, dating back to pre-Roman times and was an important community during the Middle Ages. Every year since this time, the Umbrian towns of Gubbio and the Tuscan town of Sansepolcro have held a fiercely contested medieval competition, the Palio della Balestra (or Crossbow Prize). In fact the earliest recording of this event dates back to 1461.

Today the contest is fought on the last Sunday in May in the main Piazza Grande, in commemoration of the patron saint of Gobbio, Ubaldo. A repeat performance takes place on the second Sunday of September at the rival's home town of Sansepolcro, also celebrating their town's patron, Saint Egidio. The winner of the event is awarded the “Palio” which means banner, a beautifully crafted, decorative flag that each year is designed by a local artist.

During the Middle Ages it was common practice throughout Europe for a city's militia to hold regular archery sessions and practice with crossbows. The city guard had to be always ready in case of trouble from a rival state or town. Over time technological advances made the crossbow obsolete as a weapon of war but it still remained a popular choice for hunting, and for demonstrations at festivals, especially in southern Europe.

As muskets and rifles become the weapons of choice, the use of the crossbow and the Palio della Balestra turned into a symbolic display of medieval pageantry, costume and tradition. A unique sporting event, it is a local derby difficult to emulate for its colour and tradition. In its long history the competition has only been cancelled twice, once during the Second World War and once during the Napoleonic occupation.

The day itself comprises a colourful display, where participants parade through the town's cobbled streets which teem with spectators. There are energetic, acrobatic demonstrations from the famous flag throwers, followed by the blessing of the crossbows by the Bishop and then the actual competition itself. Some eighty competitors all try to get their arrow nearest the centre of the target, and after the victor is decided, there is always much celebration, drinking and feasting.

The whole day could have been taken straight out of a painting by Pietro della Francesco, the famous local Renaissance artist. Also if you are the kind of person that enjoys costumed street theatre, there are a number of other festivals in Umbria where wearing the medieval costumes of hose, chain mail and wimple are the order of the day:

February - Valentines Day
14th February in Terni, a celebration in the birthplace of St Valentine.

April - Corsa all’Anello
A medieval, horseback jousting competition in Narni.

May - Corse dei Ceri
A 700-year-old candle race through the streets of Gubbio and Calendimaggio a medieval re-enactment in Assisi.

August - Palio of the Doves
The Knights of Amelia compete to free caged doves
Rione Prato - a medieval re-enactment in central Citta di Castello.

September - Quintana Tournament
September in Foligno, knights on horseback joust to prove their love.

By Neal Winfield