Historical reenactments and events in Lunigiana

The season of historical reenactments in Lunigiana kicks off in late June with C’era Una Volta Albiano (Once Upon a Time in Albiano) on June 26, 27 and 28, 2026, bringing the village of Albiano Magra to life by retracing the history of its founding in 1266.

The 1ˢᵗ weekend in July, rather, offers 2 unmissable events: the Medieval Festival of Fosdinovo (July 4–5, 2026), which transports the village at the foot of the castle back to the time of Gabriello II Malaspina. This is followed by Anno Domini AD 1100 (July 4–5, 2026) in Regnano di Casola, a reenactment inspired by the story of nobleman Guiterno da Regnano and his legendary bequest to the Church of Luni.

On July 11 and 12, it’s time for Zùp’r e l’Borgo in Villafranca in Lunigiana, an event that brings the atmosphere of the medieval village back to life with markets, costumed re-enactors and itinerant performances.

  In August, the calendar continues with Three Evenings in the Past: Extraordinary Journeys (August 7–9, 2026), one of the most eagerly anticipated historical events of Lunigiana. For 3 evenings, the village of Gragnola transforms into a journey through the centuries, with every corner of the village enlivened by incredible scenes and costumed performers from different historical eras.

The evocative Disfida degli Arcieri di Terra e Corte (Challenge of the Archers of the Land and Court) returns to Fivizzano on July 10, 11 and 12 to reenact the historic battle of 1572. The archery teams from Terra, Guardia, Fittadisio, Verrucola and Montechiaro compete for the Palio in a contest that tests the accuracy of 5 archers from each team competing to strike targets placed 98 feet or 30 meters away, using traditional wooden bows.

  This 3-day event sets the village abuzz with Renaissance atmospheres, featuring itinerant performances, flag-throwers, musicians and dames from the Fivizzano Historical Group, as well as various artists and crafters. There will be no shortage of food stands offering typical local products and dinners in the town squares, which liven up the evenings leading up to the highlight: the archery contest, scheduled for the final evening, when the entire village gathers to watch the archery competition that determines the winner of the Palio.

In the charming village of Filetto, still surrounded today by ancient Renaissance walls, Filetto Rinascimentale takes place from August 12–16, 2026.

  For 5 days, in an atmosphere suspended in time, the sacred intertwines with the profane, evoking the spirit of the era with fantastic creatures, itinerant musicians, dancers, fire shows and street performances transforming Filetto into an open-air stage, where history and imagination merge into a single immersive experience.

Every year in mid-August, the village of Ponticello in Filattiera comes alive with a reenactment dedicated to peasant life and the ancient rural traditions of the Lunigiana. An unmissable opportunity to be immersed in the atmosphere of the past and rediscover the work and activities that shaped the daily life of farming communities.

  Amid the alleys and squares, ancient crafts live on—crafts that have almost disappeared today: blacksmiths, stonemasons, carpenters, farriers, as well as shoe shiners, chair caners and many other figures from folk tradition. The event will be accompanied by street music, live performances and numerous food stands where visitors can sample traditional local products from the Lunigiana region.

The season of historical reenactments in Lunigiana comes to a close in Pontremoli with Medievalis, now in its 20ᵗʰ edition, which commemorates the granting of the Charter of Free Commune in 1226 by Emperor Frederick II, who described the village as the “clavis et ianua” (key and gate) of Tuscany.

For the occasion, the historic center is transformed into an authentic medieval village as cars give way to wayfarers, merchants, knights and traditional crafts, while costumed performers and artists bring the streets to life. The program features performances, duels, falconry shows, flag-throwing displays, dances and banquets inspired by the flavors of the Middle Ages, offering a complete immersion into life way back when.

  The most eagerly awaited event is the Disfida della Cortina di Cazzaguerra, which brings the festival to a close as the 3 historic factions of Sommoborgo, Imborgo and Contado face off in a duel to compete for the coveted Palio, before the traditional fireworks light up the village and the Piagnaro Castle.