Last modified: 2003-08-16 by dov gutterman
Keywords: italy | festival | palio | contrada | siena | massa lombarda | gubbio | sulmona | ferrara | versilia |
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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
The flags of the "Giostra della Rocca" are at <www.windnet.it/giostradellarocca/frazioni.htm>.
There are 9 "frazioni".
Dov Gutterman, 16 September 1999
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"Numerous historical documents from Gubbio's Municipal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