Coolayla

Simposio etrusco (Etruscan Symposium) – Ladispoli. Every year, on the night of August 10, a symposium is held at Ladispoli to reproduce an Etruscan environment in every detail. Ceremonies are held in accordance with Etruscan tradition and performers are dressed in Etruscan costume. Games and all forms of entertainment help to create an atmosphere that enables guests to relive situations dating back 2,500 years and over. The Etruscans were a population that inhabited central and northern Italy before Rome became the powerful city we are all familiar with. It is truly exciting, even thrilling, to somehow approach the Etruscans and to take a peek at their civilization

Giostra di Sant’Agapito (Tournament of Sant’Agapito) – Palestrina. If you like to see medieval tournaments re-enacted in a blaze of joyful colours amid a cheering crowd of supporters encouraging the athletes competing for their ward, you cannot afford to miss the tournament that is held every year in August in Palestrina. It consists of a number of contests intended to test the skills of the participants, the winner among them being awarded a prize and his ward retaining the title for the year. The real purpose of this event, of course, is to keep old traditions alive, while allowing people to relax and enjoy themselves in a lively and uninhibited context.

Palio delle Contrade (Palio of the Wards) – Canale Monterano. Several centuries ago the life of towns and villages in Italy, as much as anywhere else in Europe, when not at war, used to be marked by tournaments in which brave knights would show their prowess at horse riding, duelling and archery. Things being somewhat different these days, those knights have been replaced ” at least in this town ” by young men grouped in teams of four, who compete with other teams in a race where they have to cart a heavy vat on their backs at full tilt. In addition, the contest is preceded by a fabulous procession which parades through the streets in splendid medieval costumes designed and sewn by the skilful hands of the older ladies of the town.

Festa dell’Assedio (Festivity of the Siege) – Bracciano. Bracciano is a lovely town lying near the Lake bearing the same name. It is known mostly on account of the lake and of the 11th century castle towering over the town and owned by the Orsini family between the 15th and the 17th century. In the past Its position was considered important for various reasons and this led to several attempts by other powerful Italian families to seize it for strategic purposes. On one occasion, in 1501, a member of the Borgia family laid siege to the town, but eventually was totally unsuccessful. The festivity celebrates that event and, to that effect, the population is split in half : the Orsini and the Borgia. Horse-riding contests and boat races involving the two factions are held on the last weekend in August, amid the enthusiastic support of the townsfolk.

Sagra delle Fettuccine al Tartufo (Festival of the fettuccine with Truffle) – Civitella Cesi (Blera). Have you ever tasted fettuccine? If you haven’t, you should definitely try this type of pasta that is extremely popular in central Italy. Civitella Cesi, a town not too far away from Rome, holds a fettuccine festival in mid-August that is somewhat unique in the way it is arranged. All customers sit at the same table that is immeasurably long and stretches along the streets of the town. The “fettuccine” is savoured with local truffle and the result is superb. In addition top-quality meat from nearby farms is served, together with other treats, to gourmets delight. Another highlight of the event is a historical procession, followed by a horse race – the latter being rather unique in its kind, since the horses race without their jockeys!

Corteo Storico di Montefiascone (Historical Procession of Montefiascone) – Montefiascone. One day, in the year 1111, a foreign bishop travelling to Rome stopped at Montefiascone because one of his assistants had indicated that there was excellent wine there. When he discovered that this was true, the bishop stayed on there for apparently 2 more years! In his will he donated all his properties to the town that had made him so happy, provided that once a year from then on they would smash a barrel full of wine over his grave. The historical procession is indeed a representation of his arrival at Montefiascone. Over 150 participants wearing colourful medieval costumes offer a wonderful spectacle, as they march through the town. They are clergymen of high rank, feudal lords and their spouses, soldiers, tradesmen, musicians and flag wavers. At the end of the procession there are also magnificent performances by the flag wavers and the musicians.