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Italy - Local Festsivals Flags

Last modified: 2003-08-16 by dov gutterman
Keywords: italy | festival | palio | contrada | siena | massa lombarda | gubbio | sulmona | ferrara | versilia |
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Overview

In many Italian towns there are anniversaries of historical (expecially medieval) events with costume parades and flag throwing. Most Italian towns were founded many centuries ago, therefore everywhere there is a battle or another historical event to celebrate. In the last years there is a renewed interest for this kind of celebrations, often for turistic purposes; many of them are called "Palio", the same name of the famous "Palio di Siena". There are also rentable flag throwing groups in costume.
Giuseppe Bottasini, 4 June 1996

Is there a limited geographic area of palio-cities? I know that the best known palios are in cities in Northern Italy (the Po valley?), but I wander if there aren't other palios in other places...
Jorge Candeias, 22 September 1999


Giostra della Rocca

The flags of the "Giostra della Rocca" are at <www.windnet.it/giostradellarocca/frazioni.htm>. There are 9 "frazioni".
Dov Gutterman, 16 September 1999


Gubbio

From <www.SBANDIERATORI.COM>:
"Numerous historical documents from Gubbio's Municipal Archives show that the art of flag throwing has been known in this town since the 14th century. The first of these documents dates back to 1380 when the artist, Luca Petruccio, was commissioned to decorate "flags for waving". In Medieval times a group of flag wavers took part in civil, military and religious cerimonies. This glorious tradition has been taken up again by the "Gruppo Sbandieratori" (Flag Throwers Group) which is part of the Società dei Balestrieri (Association of Crossbowmen). Sewn onto the flags are the symbols of Gubbio's history going as for back as the "stilemi" of the primeval Umbrian people who were among the first to inhabit the Italian penisula. These flags come to life as they are taken through a series of precise and rapid movements which lead to the more spectacular games in which they are thrown higher and highe