Medieval Pageantry at Arezzo’s Giostra del Saracino 2025

Step back in time with the Giostra del Saracino di Arezzo, a significant and beloved secular tradition with medieval origins. This captivating folkloric event, a highlight of the Tuscan calendar, transforms Piazza Grande into a historical arena twice a year. In 2025, the spectacle unfolds on the evening of Saturday, 21st June (the Giostra di San Donato, honouring the city’s patron saint) and again on the day of Sunday, 7th September (the Giostra della Madonna del Conforto, dedicated to Arezzo’s protectress).

Dating back to the Middle Ages, as even referenced by Dante Alighieri, the Giostra del Saracino sees Arezzo’s four city quarters – Porta Crucifera, Porta del Foro, Porta Sant’Andrea, and Porta Santo Spirito – vie for the coveted Lancia d’Oro (Golden Lance). Each quarter fields two knights, or ‘giostratori’, who charge down the lizza, a strip of beaten earth, aiming their wooden lances at the ‘Buratto’, a spring-loaded metallic dummy armed with a flail. Precision is key as they score points based on where they strike the target.

The competition is a feast for the senses, preceded by a vibrant historical procession, the dramatic performance of the Sbandieratori (flag-wavers), and the stirring sound of trumpets from the Giostra del Saracino Music Group. This immersive event offers a unique glimpse into the heart of Tuscan history and tradition.

Key Information:

• When: 21st June and 7th September 2025
• Where: Piazza Grande, Arezzo, Italy
• Website: linked below