Every year with celebration, people from this area go back to the middle ages. Living the “Palio dei Castelli della Badia Tedalda” means going back to their remoter past, which is the moment when their deepest historical traditions become true.

This is the Palio dei Castelli

A full immersion in their monastic past life, which takes place every year at Badia Tedalda in the province of Arezzo on the third weekend of August.

Between medieval songs, settings and foods, black monks of Saint Benedict, guided by their Abbot, give life to the glorious and ancient Abbey of Sant’Angelo Michele de Tedaldi, involving the enthusiastic participants in a highly evocative path where liturgical torch-light processions and solemn celebrations alternate to high masses and banquets, after which the Palio dei Castelli of Badia Tedalda takes place.

This typical equestrian tournament is held by the most able Knights of the Castles of Badia Tedalda with launches and rings, competing for the prestigious Cloth and the Double-Crossed Plate of S.Angelo Michele. The Palio is therefore a magic historical commemoration of the past. Today the Palio dei Castelli is managed by the homonymous Association, constituted in March 1998, finalized to organize and guarantee the yearly development of this event.

This Association is mainly composed by young people, lovers of the history, who have succeeded in involving into such event all their pride, engagement and enthusiasm of the entire local community.

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• Palio dei Castelli