Travel back in time to discover the thrills of the medieval art of jousting at the famous ‘’Giostra della Quintana” in Ascoli Piceno! Held every year on the first Sunday of August in the charming town of Ascoli Piceno in the La Marche region of Italy, this exhilarating festival is well worth visiting and attracts more and more tourists every year.
There are lots of great value vacation rentals in Civitella del Tronto to enjoy your stay in, only thirteen kilometres from Ascoli Piceno. If you’re lucky enough to be here on the first Sunday of August for the ‘’Giostra della Quintana” then prepare to be amazed at the colourful sights, sounds and delicious smells that you will experience in the heart of the town of Ascoli!
Preceding the main jousting event in the local stadium, your eyes will be treated to a feast of colour and movement as a procession of around 1500 people march down the main street dressed in traditional medieval costumes, bearing the flags of their ‘sestiere’.
There are lots of great value vacation rentals in Civitella del Tronto to enjoy your stay in, only thirteen kilometres from Ascoli Piceno. If you’re lucky enough to be here on the first Sunday of August for the ‘’Giostra della Quintana” then prepare to be amazed at the colourful sights, sounds and delicious smells that you will experience in the heart of the town of Ascoli!
Preceding the main jousting event in the local stadium, your eyes will be treated to a feast of colour and movement as a procession of around 1500 people march down the main street dressed in traditional medieval costumes, bearing the flags of their ‘sestiere’.
The air will be filled with inspiring music to build the momentum and anticipation of the main event and one cannot help but be excited to watch the adrenaline fuelled event that’s about to begin! Tickets are only €15 to get a seat in one of the grandstands surrounding the race track and everywhere else is free to observe this thrilling battle!
There are six jockeys and horses, each bearing the colours of their ‘sestiere’ that take it in turns to build up speed galloping around a figure eight shaped track bearing their lance. At the intersection, there is a cardboard figure of a Saracen which each rider had three attempts to strike in their first turn. They each have three turns, which are nine attempts in total at attacking the unfortunate Saracen!
When the rider gathers speed galloping around the outside track, the crowds seizes up in excitements and cheers on their hero.
As he turns to face his target and gains speed heading towards the centre, he raises his lance and gets ready for impact… the excitement becomes almost unbearable! The crowd relaxes slightly when they see how well the Saracen has been hit and wait anxiously for the scoring to come in.
There are six jockeys and horses, each bearing the colours of their ‘sestiere’ that take it in turns to build up speed galloping around a figure eight shaped track bearing their lance. At the intersection, there is a cardboard figure of a Saracen which each rider had three attempts to strike in their first turn. They each have three turns, which are nine attempts in total at attacking the unfortunate Saracen!
When the rider gathers speed galloping around the outside track, the crowds seizes up in excitements and cheers on their hero.
As he turns to face his target and gains speed heading towards the centre, he raises his lance and gets ready for impact… the excitement becomes almost unbearable! The crowd relaxes slightly when they see how well the Saracen has been hit and wait anxiously for the scoring to come in.
The battle is fierce between the warriors of each ‘sestiere’ and when a worthy winner is finally announced; a celebration breaks out among his district! The brave hero and his valiant steed are paraded through the Piazzo Arringo and will enjoy a well deserved night of feasting, music and dancing!
The sight of this vibrant Piazza on the night of this festival is breathtaking; The church located in the corner is left open until well past midnight and beautiful classical music playing from the within floats out and merges with the laughing and celebrating of the victorious ‘sestiere’ and other districts.
A fireworks display illuminates the night sky later in the night and adds the perfect finishing touch to a spectacular festive day. The ‘’Giostra della Quintana” in Ascoli Piceno is one of Italy’s most authentic and enjoyable Palio events so be sure immerse yourself in it if you're around the area at this invigorating time. Click here to read about some more of Italy's greatest sporting events!
The sight of this vibrant Piazza on the night of this festival is breathtaking; The church located in the corner is left open until well past midnight and beautiful classical music playing from the within floats out and merges with the laughing and celebrating of the victorious ‘sestiere’ and other districts.
A fireworks display illuminates the night sky later in the night and adds the perfect finishing touch to a spectacular festive day. The ‘’Giostra della Quintana” in Ascoli Piceno is one of Italy’s most authentic and enjoyable Palio events so be sure immerse yourself in it if you're around the area at this invigorating time. Click here to read about some more of Italy's greatest sporting events!
Photo credits
picture 1: Sailko / CC BY-SA 3.0;
picture 2: Sailko / CC BY-SA 3.0
picture 3: Kruppy / CC BY-SA 3.0
picture 1: Sailko / CC BY-SA 3.0;
picture 2: Sailko / CC BY-SA 3.0
picture 3: Kruppy / CC BY-SA 3.0