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Arezzo
We arrived in Montisi on Saturday. Here it is Sunday and we are already taking a drive to the hill town of Arezzo. It's the day of the monthly antique market. However, when we get there we find that in addition to the market, there is a parade!
It's the day of the Joust of the Saracen! This happens on the first Sunday of September. The town is divided into four contradas (neighborhoods), and every year they compete with one another in a jousting match. The purpose of the parade is to whip up team spirit and introduce all the contenders. Each contrada's uniforms have a different color scheme and style..............all of them quite fetching.
"This tournament has its origins in the early 16 C and commemorates Christian efforts to hold back the tide of Islam in the 14 C. A lively and colourful procession of costumed participants is followed by the main event in which eight costumed knights charge towards a wooden representation of the Saracen, aiming to hit the Saracen's shield with lances. The Saracen is mounted on a swivel so that part of the task of the knight is to avoid being struck back. Each pair of knights represents one of Arezzo's four rival districts and their supporters each occupy a side of the piazza. The winner receives a golden lance" from The Festivals of Tuscany Italy website.
We did not stay for the actual joust, but we all felt that the parade was worth the price we paid for the anxiety of driving, and parking on festival day.
We arrived in Montisi on Saturday. Here it is Sunday and we are already taking a drive to the hill town of Arezzo. It's the day of the monthly antique market. However, when we get there we find that in addition to the market, there is a parade!
It's the day of the Joust of the Saracen! This happens on the first Sunday of September. The town is divided into four contradas (neighborhoods), and every year they compete with one another in a jousting match. The purpose of the parade is to whip up team spirit and introduce all the contenders. Each contrada's uniforms have a different color scheme and style..............all of them quite fetching.
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| This man gave a speech before the parade began. I think he said something like, "Let the games begin!" His speech was received with much enthusiasm. |
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| All the men in white had the same color page boy. I suspect that they have something to do with the mayor and won't be jousting. |
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| I love the chain mail beard. This outfit represents one of the four contradas. |
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| Here's contrada number Two. |
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| Number Three. |
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| Number Four. |
"This tournament has its origins in the early 16 C and commemorates Christian efforts to hold back the tide of Islam in the 14 C. A lively and colourful procession of costumed participants is followed by the main event in which eight costumed knights charge towards a wooden representation of the Saracen, aiming to hit the Saracen's shield with lances. The Saracen is mounted on a swivel so that part of the task of the knight is to avoid being struck back. Each pair of knights represents one of Arezzo's four rival districts and their supporters each occupy a side of the piazza. The winner receives a golden lance" from The Festivals of Tuscany Italy website.
We did not stay for the actual joust, but we all felt that the parade was worth the price we paid for the anxiety of driving, and parking on festival day.
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