Want to go back to the Middle Ages? In Tuscany you can. If you visit the region in the Summer you’ll find many festivals to choose from, where the present gets forgotten and people crave ancient stories and magic.

All the colour and feeling of Medieval times is brought back in special events that bring towns and villages to life with costumes, banners, games and historical re-enactments. Here we explore the popular Monteriggioni Festival (held every year in July), Volterra AD 1389 (every year in August) and the Saracen Joust in Arezzo.

3 Summer Medieval Festivals in Tuscany

MONTERIGGIONI MEDIEVAL FESTIVAL, July

The full name of this festival is “Monteriggioni di torri si corona”, literally meaning ‘Monteriggioni crowns itself with towers’. Inside the Medieval walls, watched over by its mighty towers, the hamlet of Monteriggioni near Siena returns to its former glory and relives a time when knights, damsels and jugglers used to walk its streets.

You’ll find ancient crafts, Medieval music concerts, historical reenactments, jugglers’ shows, and Medieval dishes on the tables. This is one of Tuscany‘s most popular festivals. It doesn’t get more Medieval than this (dates for 2023 to be confirmed – for full program see the official site).

⇒ Discover more festivals in Tuscany that kids will love, and the most beautiful Medieval Castles that you can visit in Tuscany!

monteriggioni
Monteriggioni

VOLTERRA MEDIEVAL FESTIVAL (13th and 20th August 2023)

In the “Volterra Festival AD 1398” the clocks are turned back to the end of the 14th century, when this scenic town of Volterra in Tuscany was struggling for its independence from Florence. The historic centre and the Parco di Castello park, which is dominated by an imposing Fortress, dress up for the part with banners, flags and even Medieval tents.

Held on the second and third Sunday of August, from 11am to 11pm, the Medieval festival puts on various events, such as flag throwing, and craft markets. Hundreds of jugglers, peasants, damsels and noblemen give you the unique chance to embrace the spirit of the Middle Ages. (for the full program see official site).

Check out this Monteriggioni, Volterra & San Gimignano Day trip from Siena: enjoy the highlights of Medieval Tuscany with an expert guide, see the fortified village of Monteriggioni, see the famous towers in San Gimignano and visit some alabaster workshops in Volterra.

⇒ See how to spend the perfect day in Volterra.

⇒ The Best traditional Festivals that are held in Tuscany throughout the year.

=> Tuscany in June, trip ideas, best events and traditional festivals

walled tuscan city
Volterra – Photo @Skitterphoto on pixabay

GIOSTRA del SARACINO in AREZZO, 17th June and 3rd September 2023

Would you like to be a spectator at a real Medieval joust? In Arezzo you can. Every Summer the town prepares for this exciting festival that sees horses and riders compete in a real Medieval-style ‘giostra complete with lances, historic costumes, flags and jaunty medieval music.

On 17th June and 3rd September 2023, the beautiful Piazza Grande, in the main square of the town, becomes the stage for an exciting tournament that pits four rival neighbourhoods against each other. The knights on their horses have to hit a wooden target held by a mannequin in the shape of a Saracen (that tries to hit back with its weapon, three metal balls attached to a chain). There is a parade before the joust, with hundreds of participants dressed in historic costumes. Flag throwers and musicians lend it all a bit of extra atmosphere.

=> Tuscany in August: best events, festivals, tips & trip ideas.

=> 12 Fun Activities for your Summer trip to Tuscany!

medieval festivals summer tuscany
By Immagini dell’ Archivio Istituzione Giostra del Saracino del Comune di Arezzo – sent by Paolo Borgogni, Archivio e Comunicazione, Area Turismo – Comune di Arezzo p.borgogni@comune.arezzo.it through OTRS #2007092810005691, CC BY-SA 3.0, Link

The Giostra del Saracino, or Saracen Joust, takes place on the penultimate Saturday in June – At 8.30pm the parade leaves Piazza Duomo to reach Piazza Grande where the joust starts at 9.30. Also on the first Sunday in September – Starts at 3pm in Piazza Duomo from where the costume parade reaches Piazza Grande and the joust begins – 5pm.

Tickets start at 10 euros for standing room. Seats are more expensive (from 30 to 70 euros). More info on the official site.

⇒ Discover all the highlights of Arezzo!

=> Summer packing list for your trip to Italy.

Love of the Medieval

These three festivals are among the most popular in Tuscany and have a long tradition. The Middle Ages have never quite left these places, and between the architecture and the atmosphere it’s very easy to feel like you’ve travel back in time. You can enjoy flag throwing shows, an art which dates back to Medieval guilds.

In Medieval time the ‘giostre‘ or jousts were originally part of military training, where noble knights would fight each other to show off their skills. Later in the 16th century, they became real spectacles with parades and shows exactly like the one in Arezzo today.

A few practical tips

Expect crowds, and plenty of excitement. If you decide to visit plan in advance as it’s better to arrive early and book accommodation in the area with plenty of time. There are car parks just outside these towns’s historic centre, but it’s still better to give yourself a bit of time.

If you’re travelling with small kids, it’s worth remembering that the crowds can make it practically impossible to move around with push chairs.