One Of The Most Beautiful Historical Re-enactments Of The Region, Takes Place in Foligno.

Cavaliers of the day and ladies of the night The Tournament of the Quintain, one of the most beautiful historical re-enactments of the region, takes place in Foligno. The Quintain derives from the name of a Roman encampment, which was also a training ground for soldiers. The soldiers, armed with swords, charged a life-size figure with a ring suspended from one of its hands. The aim was to thrust through the ring. The first documented evidence of the "Quintain" goes back to 1448. This tradition was first re-enacted in Foligno in 1946. This tournament and the splendid historical procession that proceeds the contest are not to be missed. Six hundred people dressed in period costume characterised by sumptuous materials, velvets, geometrical lace, stiff collars and full cloaks draped over the shoulders parade through the streets of the town. THE CONTEST The Tournament of the Quintain revives the atmosphere of the knightly jousting of ''600. The horsemen representing the districts Ammanniti, Badia, Cassero, Castrasagna, Croce Bianca, Giotti, La Mora, Morlupo, Pugilli, Spada meet in the municipal stadium in a contest of high tension and dramatic spectacle. In three successive jousts the riders, mounted on mighty chargers and armed with lances, try to penetrate rings of decreasing diameter hanging from the arm of a wooden figure representing a warrior of the 17th C. The horseman who penetrates the three rings in the shortest time and with the fewest penalties wins the banner of the tournament, created by artists of international repute.The tournament takes place twice a year: the "Challenge" is held on a Saturday evening in June while the "Revenge" takes place on the second Sunday in September. Also this year Federica Moro is the sponsor of the event. The taverns of all the districts, where it is possible to taste traditional dishes of the area, remain open for the duration of the event.