2nd Sunday in September

PALIO DELLA BALESTRA

Crossbow Palio

Sansepolcro (Arezzo)

The ancient tournament takes place in the stunning surroundings of Piazza Torre di Berta, enclosed by Renaissance palaces.

According to ancient custom, in the morning the herald reads aloud the challenge to the Gubbio rivals.

In the afternoon, after the blessing of the weapons, the crossbowmen of the two towns enter the main square announced by a drum roll and a blast of trumpets, while the Sbandieratori (flagwavers) throw their flags in air, flags decorated with

the colours and crests of the old town.

The crossbowmen of the two towns, dressed in Renaissance costumes, take turns to shoot, and old glories are brought back to life in the silence of the old square, broken only by the thud of the bolts as they hit the target.

The crossbowmen are invited to prepare their weapons with the motto: ‘Shoot for the Palio, with virtue and honesty, and may victory go to the best in the field’.

The crossbow is fired from a distance of 36 meters at a target called the corniolo.

To reload, the crossbows require a special jack and the weapon must be placed on a flat surface due to its great weight.