Montopoli Medioevo

The historical event “Montopoli Medioevo – Historical Reenactment and Archery Tournament” brings to life the historical period of the Late Middle Ages and takes place in Montopoli, a town originally divided into two districts in 1412 by Podestà Jacopo degli Albizi (the districts of “Perinsù” and “Peringiù”). The event usually takes place on the second weekend of September and involves over 300 participants, flag-wavers, drummers, trumpeters, street performers, archers, historical dancers, and processions featuring historical groups from all over Tuscany and even from outside the region. All the costumes, weapons, and artifacts used during the event are the result of research and in-depth study of pictorial depictions from the Late Middle Ages.
 

Each year, the theme of the historical reenactment varies, and specific events from the relevant historical period are reenacted, ranging from the Peace of Montopoli to Machiavelli’s visit.
 

For over a thousand years, Montopoli has been making headlines: a Lucca document from 1017 lists Montopoli among the villages belonging to the Piviere di Musciano, a territory under the civil and ecclesiastical jurisdiction of the Bishop of Lucca. The castle of Montopoli became a key strategic center contested by Lucca, Pisa, and Florence, thanks to its hilltop location and the Poggio di Rocca.

Its fortifications, outer bailey, and tall, imposing walls earned it the title of “illustrious castle” from Giovanni Boccaccio.

“The event is participating in the ‘Toscana Tutto l'Anno’ project in collaboration with ATRS”