Festival of Autumn and Palio di Valfabbrica - Giostra d'Italia

The event "Palio di Valfabbrica - Giostra d'Italia" has ancient roots and is related to the Feast of the Crucifix in September. In 1975, thanks to the initiative of the citizens historical research began and some costumes were used: it initially consisted of a single parade, and only over the years the 3 current districts, Badia, Osteria and Pedicino were recreated, which correspond to three specific historical areas of the city: the district of Badia which represents the zone of the abbey and the Benedictine monastery; the district of Pedicino which represents the area of the castle; the Rione Osteria which represents the rural area.  The event opens with the handing over of the keys by the mayor to the prior of the city, an event that officially marks the beginning of the festivities, followed by the mass. In three successive evenings spectacular medieval reenactments of the three districts are held along the streets, made spectacular by the great landscape, well-choreographed scenes, games and fireworks. In other evenings a medieval ceremony takes place , restored in its original solemnity, the investiture of the knights and their oath of loyalty to the parish for which they are in competition; the torchlight race, popular games and evocative medieval shows. The highlight of the event is the first Sunday in September, during which the most significant events take place: the convivial lunch between all the neighbourhoods. The first day of the last week of August and the first Sunday of September.