The Sarapino

In Civitella in Val di Chiana, Il Sarapino returns, as a unique re-enactment that recalls the tradition of the Saracen Joust in an all-local version, where instead of a horse, the protagonist rides in a Piaggio Ape, the most popular motor vehicle (and mini-truck cousin of the Vespa) in the 20ᵗʰ-century countryside. 
Born in the Post-War period from the initiative of a group of civitellini (the Italian demonym for Civitella locals) and kept alive to this day in the town square, this curious encounter between medieval memory and modern mechanics sees the 4 districts of Civitella—San Francesco, Porta Aretina, Porta Senese and La Torre—competing in 3 heats each, pitted against the buratto (an armed puppet) to win the Retribuet.

The festival opens on Saturday, June 6 at 8:30 pm with the Veglia delle Armi, the propitiatory dinner during which the captains of the districts convene the townspeople for a time of recollection and conviviality around the knights and costumed figures, in preparation for the upcoming contest. 

On Saturday, June 13, the day of the joust, there is the unveiling of the Retribuet (the trophy awarded to the winners) at 6:30 pm together with the drawing of the heats that will establish the starting order on the lizza (the open ground around the fortifications). A final mortar blast will kick off the joust, scheduled for 9:00 pm.

The following Sunday, in the village church, the costumed characters of the winning district give thanks to Our Lady with a Te Deum (an ancient Christian hymn). At the end of the celebrations, the winning district of the Masgalano, the prize awarded to those who have best distinguished themselves during the festive days, is also announced.