Celebrate like the Italians do! Vivere la dolce vita is an Art form in Italy
In Italian we say “facciamo festa!”
In Italian, we say “Facciamo festa!”—let’s celebrate! And no one embraces the art of celebration quite like the Italians. Festivals and traditions are woven into the very fabric of Italian life, turning cities, towns, and villages into vibrant stages for centuries-old rituals, grand historical reenactments, and lively local feasts. From the thunderous spectacle of a Palio to the intimate warmth of a sagra dedicated to seasonal delicacies, Italians have an innate talent for bringing people together in joyous, spirited gatherings. Music fills the air, laughter echoes through cobblestone streets, and both locals and visitors are swept up in the contagious energy. Italians don’t just throw a party—they create unforgettable experiences that celebrate life, history, and community with unparalleled flair.
Throughout the year, Italy thrives on an ever-changing calendar of civil and religious festivals, each one brimming with passion and tradition. If you love Italy, you already know this—there’s always a street fair, a procession, or a competition happening somewhere! Some events are famous worldwide, like the Palio di Siena, where fearless jockeys race bareback around the Piazza del Campo, or Carnevale in Venice, where masked revelers flood the canals, playing pranks and embracing the spirit of mischief—after all, “a Carnevale, ogni scherzo vale” (anything goes during Carnival)! But there are also lesser-known, delightfully eccentric traditions, such as the Palio della Rana in Fermignano, where competitors balance frogs on wheelbarrows in a test of skill, or the Battaglia delle Arance in Ivrea, where teams hurl oranges at one another in a lively reenactment of a medieval revolt.
Festivals all year long!
Springtime brings Calendimaggio in Assisi, transforming the town into a medieval wonderland, with elaborate costumes, parades, and music to welcome the season. And the list doesn’t stop there—I could go on for days naming sagre and saints’ celebrations! If you glance at an Italian calendar, you’ll find a colorful event nearly every day in some charming corner of the country.
But these festivals aren’t just plentiful—they are wholeheartedly embraced. Italians dress up in historical costumes, prepare mountains of delicious food, and play music to celebrate everything from pigs and bears to cheese, mushrooms, garlic, and potatoes—not to mention every saint in the Bible and beyond. In Italy, even trees get hitched, and boats are ceremoniously “married” to the sea. It’s a country that finds joy in tradition, revelry, and the sheer pleasure of coming together, proving time and again that no one celebrates quite like the Italians. Facciamo festa!
La Giostra del Saracino: My Most Unforgettable Festival
I have had the joy of experiencing many of Italy’s feste, from the indulgent truffle sagra in Alba to the lively Ferragosto celebrations in Locorotondo and Lecce. I’ve carried glowing paper lanterns through the streets of Florence during the Rificolona, a festival honoring the Virgin Mary, and savored my fair share of roasted pork at the sagra della porchetta in San Savino. I’ve happily danced and eaten my way through countless local street fairs and village festivals—though I must admit, I gracefully passed on the sagra dedicated to liver!
But among all these incredible experiences, one event stands out above the rest: the Giostra del Saracino in Arezzo, held twice a year in June and September. The first time I witnessed this thrilling medieval joust, I was completely captivated—not only by the spectacle but by the city itself. It was love at first sight!
The Thrill of the Giostra del Saracino: An Unforgettable Arezzo Experience
The first time I witnessed the Giostra del Saracino in Arezzo, I fell in love—both with the event and the city itself. There’s simply nothing like it. To truly appreciate and understand this extraordinary joust, you have to experience it firsthand. Immerse yourself in the week of festivities leading up to the tournament, and you’ll discover the beating heart of Arezzo, a city that comes alive with passion, pride, and medieval splendor.
The Giostra del Saracino dates back to the Middle Ages, a knightly tournament held in the stunning Piazza Grande, with historical records tracing its origins to the early 13th century. Even Dante referenced the event in his works! Initially, the joust served as a military exercise for knights training for the Crusades, with the target dummy representing the Saracen enemy. Over time, it evolved into a chivalrous spectacle, rich with tradition and local identity.
For most of the year, Arezzo is a peaceful Tuscan hill town, but come June and September, it transforms into a whirlwind of excitement. The streets are awash in the bold colors of the city’s four historic districts, each with its own emblem and fiercely loyal supporters: Santo Spirito (Blue and Yellow), Porta Sant’Andrea (Green and White), Porta Crucifera (Red and Green), Porta del Foro (Crimson and Yellow)
How the Joust is enacted
A week before the joust, the celebrations kick off with nightly festivities that stretch into the early hours. Music pulses through the ancient streets as each neighborhood rallies around its champions—the jousters who will compete for the coveted Lancia d’Oro (Golden Lance). The excitement reaches a fever pitch on the Propiziatoria Cena, the grand banquet held the night before the joust. Each district hosts an extravagant outdoor feast where grilled meats, flowing wine, and impassioned speeches fuel the energy of the crowd. Spontaneous songs and chants erupt throughout the evening, creating an electrifying atmosphere that sweeps up everyone in its joyous embrace.
On the day of the joust, cannon fire announces the countdown to the tournament. The city’s herald, mounted on horseback, parades through the streets, summoning citizens to Piazza Grande. Behind him march drummers, flag-throwers, costumed soldiers, noble families, and of course, the jousters themselves, riding their magnificent horses. It’s a breathtaking spectacle of medieval pageantry.
Now, here’s how the competition unfolds: Each district selects two skilled jousters who have trained tirelessly throughout the year. Their task? To charge down the sloping track, the lizza, and strike a rotating target held by the Buratto, a wooden effigy representing the Saracen invader. Precision is everything—the target is divided into nine sections, and the higher the hit, the greater the points earned. But there’s a twist: if a jouster breaks his lance upon impact, his score doubles. However, if he drops the lance or rides too slowly, he risks losing points—or worse, being struck by the Buratto’s cat-of-nine-tails as it swings around in retaliation. The tension builds with each round, and the outcome remains uncertain until the final jouster makes his run.
The moment the champion is declared, the victorious neighborhood erupts in cheers, surging through the streets toward San Donato Cathedral. The winning jousters, still on horseback, follow triumphantly, where they are awarded the Lancia d’Oro. But the celebrations don’t stop there—the night is filled with endless singing, dancing, and revelry as the triumphant district revels in its hard-won glory.
Experience the Magic of the Giostra del Saracino in Arezzo!
The Giostra del Saracino in Arezzo is something you truly have to experience to appreciate. No description can fully capture the energy, tradition, and passion of this extraordinary event—you have to see it for yourself! I encourage you to dive into the week of festivities leading up to the joust, immerse yourself in the neighborhood rivalries, and witness firsthand what makes this town come alive.
Living in Arezzo during the Giostra del Saracino has been the most immersive cultural experience I’ve ever had in Italy, and I would love to share it with you. That’s why I’ve designed my Italian programs in Arezzo to coincide with the joust in June and September. This year, I’m returning—and you’re invited to join me!
Watch the Matta Video about the Giostra del Saracino
For more visuals of Arezzo’s joust and to listen to this post in Italian, watch the YouTube video linked above.
Read the novel that was inspired by Isabella de’ Medici
Waking Isabella
Waking Isabella is a story about uncovering hidden beauty that, over time, has been lost, erased, or suppressed. It also weaves together several love stories as well as a few mysteries. Nora, an assistant researcher, is a catalyst for resolving the puzzle of a painting that has been missing for decades. Set in Arezzo, a small Tuscan town, the plot unfolds against the backdrop of the city’s antique trade and the fanfare and pageantry of its medieval jousting festival. While filming a documentary about Isabella de’ Medici—the Renaissance princess who was murdered by her husband—Nora begins to connect with the lives of two remarkable women from the past. Unraveling the stories of Isabella, the daughter of a fifteenth-century Tuscan duke, and Margherita, a young girl trying to survive the war in Nazi-occupied Italy, Nora begins to question the choices that have shaped her own life up to this point. As she does, hidden beauty is awakened deep inside of her, and she discovers the keys to her creativity and happiness. It is a story of love and deceit, forgeries and masterpieces—all held together by the allure and intrigue of a beautiful Tuscan ghost.
I attended the Saracens Joust festival a few years ago – a fabulous day I’ll never forget also the Wine Festival in Greve in Chianti. How fabulous they both were and reading your article and seeong the photos in your blog brought it all rushing back – made me feel quite emotional
Friends own a home near Montipulciano so it’s a wonderful place from which to discover Tuscany and also Umbria, which I love too. I’m a Brit now living in Toronto Canada and hope the world of travel opens up again soon. Thanks for your blogs, books etc: I am enjoying them ..🌻🌻