Montaperti, starting next weekend, the historical re-enactment of the signing of the Peace Agreements comes to life in Castelfiorentino with a preview that is at the same time a novelty of the event: a walk on the sites of the bloody battle that pitted Guelphs and Ghibellines against each other on 4 September 1260.
In fact, “Waiting for Peace after Montaperti” is the title of the special programme that this year anticipates the actual re-enactment by a week (and which will be held in Castelfiorentino on 23-24 November), contemplating two appointments. The first is the Medieval Combat Tournament that will be held on Saturday 16 November at the Pala ABC “Gilardetti” (Via XXV Aprile) starting at 10:00 a.m., with free admission (open to all), organised by the “Iron Tower” association in memory of Carlo Desideri, a Castelfiorentino citizen who died tragically two years ago, and president of the association itself. The combatants, wearing armour from the 13th-15th centuries, will fight within a “Lizza” set up inside Pala ABC until 7:00 p.m., when the prize-giving ceremony and a remembrance of Carlo will be held.
On Sunday 17 November, there will be a walk on the places where the epic battle of Montaperti took place, also narrated by Dante in the “Divine Comedy”, who dwelled on the “great havoc that the red-coloured Arbia wrought”. The meeting point with your own vehicle is at 9:30 a.m. at the car park of the thermal baths of Acqua Borra – loc. Montaperti (Castelnuovo Berardenga). The walk, a ring-route of approximately 10 km, will lead participants to a visit of the battle site and the memorial pyramid monument, accompanied by an Environmental Hiking Guide. Hiking shoes are required. Packed lunch provided by participants. Participation is free with compulsory booking. For information and reservations: T.H.E. (Nicola) +39 328.4136156.
“The historical re-enactment of the Peace of Castelfiorentino – observes the Councillor for Culture, Franco Spina – is enriched this year with a programme that doubles the weekends dedicated to the event, offering the opportunity to attend a combat tournament with medieval armour and to visit the site where the famous battle between the Guelphs and Ghibellines took place. We will also shortly illustrate the programme for 23-24 November, which will take place entirely in Castelfiorentino, again with many new features”.
