Every summer, the main piazza of Sulmona transforms into a Medieval-style arena. Galloping horses enter the decorated piazza, and noble knights representing different neighborhoods and cities challenge each other in a series of jousts. Giostra Cavalleresca di Sulmona, or Knightly Joust of Sulmona, is an old tradition of Sulmona that has become an annual festival drawing thousands of tourists during the last weekend of July. Many Sulmona residents are engaged in preparing this spectacular festival, celebrating the region's rich history.
Giostra Cavalleresca di Sulmona (July 27-28, 2024)
Giostra Cavalleresca di Sulmona, or Knightly Joust of Sulmona, features a few tournaments over two weekends in late July and early August. The first-weekend joust—Giostra Cavalleresca di Sulmona—involves seven different neighborhoods of Sulmona. During the two-day event, each knight competes against four other knights in 14 matches—the top four knights advance to two semi-finals, culminating in a final competition. The winner is awarded the coveted Palio, which was once a precious cloth but is now a unique painting on canvas created by a different artist each year. It is followed by a one-day 'Borghi Più Belli d'Italia' tournament where the most beautiful villages in Italy send their riders.
The Rules
The horses are required to run around the complete figure-eight oval in about 30 seconds, while the knights, mostly professional jockeys hired by the neighborhoods, attempt to pick off rings of various sizes as they ride. The score is based on the number of successful attempts the knights make to insert their lances into the rings. In the event of a tie, the size of each ring is considered: the 10 cm ring is worth 1 point, the 8 cm ring is worth 2 points, and the 6 cm ring is worth 3 points. If there is still a tie, the time taken is used to evaluate the score.
La Giostra d’Europa (August 3, 2024)
The finals are the European Championship (Giostra Cavalleresca d'Europa), where one local neighborhood hosts each foreign rider delegation. The shows occur in the afternoons in Piazza Giuseppe Garibaldi, also known as Piazza Maggiore.
The Historical Parade
Another festival highlight is the procession taking place each day of the competition. With around 600 participants wearing replicas of 15th-16th century costumes handmade by local seamstresses, Corteo Storico accompanies Corso Ovidio to the Piazza Garibaldi. Flag-bearers, drummers, ladies, knights, trumpeters—there is much to see and experience at Giostra Cavalleresca di Sulmona. There’s so the crowning of a Queen, Not to mention the delicious food and wines of the Abruzzo region are also worth discovering.
History of the Festival
Since 1995, the City of Sulmona, in collaboration with the Cultural Association Giostra Cavalleresca, has been promoting the re-enactment of the Giostra. This historical event originally took place in the Renaissance era. It significantly impacted its contemporaries and resonated through the ages, notably attended by the distinguished Queen Giovanna of Aragon, Queen of Naples, and Princess of Sulmona.
