challenge of the four quarters of the town of Gualdo Tadino in Palio

Age-old sports and a historical procession along the streets of the centreThe event relives the ancient joust of San Michele Arcangelo that during the Middle Ages took place on 8th May and celebrated the patron saint. The celebration of the Arcangelo goes back to Byzantine and Longobard times. The true spectacle is the historical procession with its 800 participants that demands the public"s attention as much as the joust itself and reaches its climax with the last competition. The town goes back through the centuries and relives the splendour of the fifteenth century, not only through the districts decked with flags but also through the representatives of the districts who defend their respective gates and thereby create a true medieval atmosphere. The four districts or gates challenge each other to archery contests, sling contests and bareback donkey races with carrots. The beast of burden becomes the hero of the day and through this event counters its threatening extinction. The games are the true re-enactments of the competitions that were held on the occasion of public holidays. First of all, the donkeys with their drivers race around the ring completing the course in an exceptional two minutes, which for donkeys running 800 metres is an achievement. The second competition consists in throwing with the sling to hit a ceramic plate representing the heart of the witch. The competitor who with five throws is nearest the centre wins. The third game, the archery contest, has a target consisting of circles each with its own score, the victor is the archer with the highest score. The fourth game is the most fascinating, four bareback donkeys without saddles are ridden to the targets from the reverse side and the rider with the most points wins the contest. The epilogue of the festival is the burning at the stake of the puppet BastolaInfo: www.giochideleporte.it Tel. 075.368.11