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Since 1951 on the second Sunday of September, the Piazza Torre di Berta holds the historical competition of the Palio, during which the crossbow-men of Sansepolcro challenge those from Gubbio.

In the morning, as an ancient custom suggests, the Herald reads the challenge proclamation against the rivals; in the afternoon, after the crossbows blessing, the crossbow-men come into the square after the Flag-waving demonstrations. For both these displays, medieval costumes are worn, inspired by the paintings of Piero della Francesca.

The challenge between the towns of Gubbio and Sansepolcro has very ancient origin: in a document dated 1619, the crossbow-men of Sansepolcro invite those from Gubbio to take part in the Saint Egidio Palio on the first day of September, as a surely previous tradition.

The history

During the Middle Age and the first part of the Renaissance, several towns of Italy used to organize crossbow-shooting challenges to aim at practicing the urban defense. The crossbow-shooting in Sansepolcro can be certifiable since 1594 but it was surely practiced also before this date.

Even Piero della Francesca owned one of the 160 municipal crossbows. The prize for the winner was a “pallium”, a fabric to sew a new suit. After the XVI century, the advent of firearms caused the disappearance of these competitions.

Sansepolcro and Gubbio mantained the tradition of competing in May and September to honour their patron Saints. Cosimo de Medici, visiting Sansepolcro, attended at the crossbow-shooting and tried himself the shooting. During the centuries the challenges stopped only occasionally, for “wars or famines”, caring on their traditional charm till nowadays.

Sansepolcro, or Borgo Santo Sepolcro

Sansepolcro, or Borgo Santo Sepolcro, is a town and commune in Tuscany, Italy, in the province of Arezzo. Situated on the Tiber River, it was the birthplace of the painters Piero della Francesca and of Raffaellino del Colle, a pupil of Raphael. The Romanesque cathedral and the picture-gallery contain works by both these artists.

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• Sansepolcro