Archidado Joust

11 AM – Piazza Signorelli – Provaccia
4 PM – Piazza Signorelli – Archidado Joust
7 PM – Cathedral of Cortona – Thanksgiving celebration “TE DEUM”
8 PM – Medieval costume dinner (reservation is required)

The Archidado Joust is preceded in the morning by the so-called “Provaccia”, the trial of crossbows and arrows to be used during the joust, whereas the real tournament takes place in the afternoon, when two shooters for each of the five quarters compete on the main square of the town to mark the highest score by target shooting and win the golden arrow. Winners will be then celebrated with a traditional dinner to the rhythm of medieval songs and dances.

The Archidado Joust, officially created in 1397 to celebrate the wedding of the Lord of Cortona and a noble woman from Siena, is a historical event in which the different quarters of the town compete in a crossbow tournament. Costume parades, typical medieval dinners, flagflyers and fire-eaters performances, falconry and magic shows are organized every year to relive the medieval splendor of Cortona.