10 Unusual Festivals in Italy - Umbria/Tuscany Holiday
Relaxing in the Upper Tiber Valley
The quite, peaceful and rural slopes of the Upper Tiber Valley, in the shadows of the Appenine Mountains are home to a number of unusual festas throughout the year. The area stretches from Umbertide in the south, over the Tuscan border to Pieve San Stefano the most populous village in the north. The region also includes the towns of Citta di Castello, Gubbio, Sansepolcro, Anghiari and Piertralunga.
Some of the celebrations are religious; others stretch back to the medieval period and a couple are artistic show pieces, all however prove to be pure gastronomic delights.
Corso dei Ceri – Gubbio Candle Race, May
Every May 15th the streets of this ancient town are crammed with people, colour and excitement as three 20’ wooden candles race through the narrow alleyways up to the Basilica of St Ubaldo. The whole weekend is a celebration with costumed parades, flag waving and lots of eating.
Palio della Balestra – Sansepolcro/ Gubbio Crossbow Competition, May & September
Since 1594 the towns of Sansepolcro and Gubbio in May and September compete against each with crossbows. This demonstration of skill, nerve and concentration is a two leg contest featuring bowmen in period costume, ceremonial flag throwing displays, parading and copious eating.
Lo Spino, Uphill motor race – Pieve San Stefano, May
Three days of hill racing, where the competitors climb a thousand metres along a twisting, winding 7Km course, against the clock. Since 1965 drivers and the crowds in ever increasing numbers have assembled for this exciting spectacle amid some of the most beautiful scenery in Italy.
Umbria Film Festival – Montone, July
Now in its 13th year the Umbrian Film festival grows more popular every year. Previous guest speakers and dignitaries have included Colin Firth, Terry Gilliam and Ken Loach who have lent their support to this picturesque hilltop town and its open air exploration of European cinema.
Spettacoli Classico – Classical Plays in Gubbio July-August
Gubbio’s first century, Roman Amphitheatre provides an idyllic setting for a month long series of classical plays, concerts and music.
Rione Prato – Citta di Castello Medieval Re-enactment 28-30th August
The residents of the Prato quarter in Citta di Castello’s centre turn back the clocks and take you to Renaissance Italy. Everyone wears period costumes and cantinas are converted into bars or trattoria serving gorgeous home cooked food and drink. You can witness many displays of medieval life, men at arms in mock battles, falconry and handcrafts or just wander around the torch lit streets.
Medieval Festival - Umbertide, September
September gives you another chance to get the old wimple out of the hat box and dust off your chain mail as Umbertide’s citizens stage an exciting Medieval Festival. Complete with jugglers, flag throwing, displays of age old crafts and battle re-enactments.
Palio dell ‘Oca – Citta di Castello Goose Fair, October
This modern jousting tournament has its roots in medieval times. Today the participants, riding a cart, run a lance through the hole of a barrel of water, suspended two metres above the ground. The winning knight gets the prize of a large, fat, goose. There are also other events, such as climbing the greasy pole, and the game of cooking pots and jugs.
Altrocioccolata Chocolate Festa – Gubbio – October
Four days of debate, lectures, demonstrations but most of all four days of chocolate. In whatever form, taste or use, you may have for this much loved treat, witness the Chocolatiers art at its sweetest.
Fiere di San Florida – Citta di Castello Saint Florida Fair, November
Held in the historic centre of Citta di Castello this three day celebration of the life of Saint Florido, turns the whole centre into one vast outdoor market. Here you will find many strange and curious buys, from food and drink to handicrafts and tools. There are literally hundreds of stalls throughout the town during this popular fair.
While this list is not exhaustive, it does give you a glimps of the wonderfully diverse entertainment that is available when you step off the well beaten tourist track. However with Assisi, Perugia and Florence just down the road you are never far away from the urban hussle and bussle should you miss it.
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Other related Italian Holiday Hubs
- Lo Spino
Italian language website with some excellent photos and clips
