Overview
The Balestro del Girifalco is one of Tuscany's most famous medieval re-enactments and is held in Massa Marittima twice a year: on the fourth Sunday of May and on 14 August.
The name derives from the weapon used for this competition, the 'balestra' (crossbow), and from the target that represents a falcon, a bird of prey symbolising the enemy. The 3 districts of the city, Cittanuova, Cittavecchia and Borgo, compete to win the "palio" (banner). Each district is represented by 8 crossbowmen, with a total of 24 participating in the challenge.
The competition is preceded by a procession, composed of over 150 participants, which passes through the city streets until it reaches the foot of the fourteenth-century Cathedral of San Cerbone, Duomo di Massa, the spendid setting in which the competition takes place.
After an exhibition by the flagbearers, the actual competition begins. The arrows are shot using an ancient Italian crossbow, a reproduction of those used in the 15th century.
The winning crossbowman, whose arrow strikes closest to the centre of the 'corniolo' (target) receives a symbolic golden arrow as a prize, and his district is awarded the painted silk "drappellone" (palio/banner).
