Le Marche is one of the most touristically appealing regions in Italy, not only because of the landscape that boasts a combination of both sea, mountains and hills all within a few kilometres of each other, but also by virtue of the fact that there are so many interesting cultural events to be found in the area.
Cover photo taken from the website quintanadiascoli.it
August promises yet again to be a must-do month here because of the countless events organised in the name of heritage: the so-called historical pageants. The Marche region hosts so many of them, in no small measure due to a historical imprinting linked in particular to the Middle Ages, an epoch that clearly has left an indelibly deep impression.
So, historical pageants: what exactly are we talking about?
These historical parades are part of traditional festivities dating back predominantly to medieval and Renaissance times. The events feature maidens, knights, street artists, jesters and musicians: the visitor will find themselves immersed in an atmosphere rooted in the ancient past that resounds cheerfully and deeply at every step.
What makes the events in Le Marche particularly captivating is the splendid architecture of the old towns, surroundings that are simply idyllic and at the same time ideal, since they serve perfectly for transporting you back to a bygone era.
Medieval festivals feature local food and wine specialities alongside their purely traditional and historical elements. Historical pageants in the Marche are therefore not only perfect for discovering new cultural elements, but also for exploring new food and wine experiences. Let’s take a closer look at those scheduled for August in the main towns.
Historical Pageants in Le Marche in August
It begins with an event that starts at the end of July, specifically from the 27th of July to the 5th of August. This is the Disfida del Bracciale di Treia, a pretty town in the province of Macerata. It is a historical re-enactment with shows, entertainment, and traditional culinary specialities. The atmosphere is relatively modern, in that it depicts the nineteenth-century: the various town neighbourhoods compete against each other, each representing (with traditional costumes) a specific social class.
The Disfida del Bracciale di Treia – Photo by prolocotreia.it
The second of the traditional parades in Le Marche that we would recommend is the Giostra della Quintana, a 15th-century-inspired jousting event in Ascoli Piceno. This year it is scheduled for the 4th of August and includes a parade with around 1400 participants and a joust on horseback at the Campo Dei Giochi. As happens every year, the Quintana will be broadcast live on the RAI television network.
The Giostra della Quintana in Ascoli Piceno – Photo by quintanadiascoli.it
Our overview of the historical pageants in the Marche region in August continues in the town of Servigliano in the province of Fermo, with the Torneo Cavalleresco Castel Clementino, scheduled from the 11th to the 20th of August. A long-running event with a medieval flavour, it offers different events and venues every day. Absolutely not to be missed!
If you’re looking for something to do on the 15th of August, we highly recommend the Cavalcata dell’Assunta in Fermo: it’s a horse race involving the city’s ten contrade (districts). Its origins are somewhat ancient, dating back to 1182, and it always offers great entertainment, with traditional contests such as the Game of the Ring and the Quintana.
The final event we suggest amongst the historical pageants in Le Marche is Millenarja in Corinaldo (Ancona), an event in which scenes of ancient life are re-enacted, scheduled for the 24th and 25th of August. In the spotlight, alongside local gastronomic specialities, are musical games and much more besides.
Millenaria in Corinaldo – Photo from facebook.com/millenarja/
Small footnote:
There are so many other events in Le Marche in August to talk about that there just isn’t enough space here to do them all justice! Glorious journeys through the history of a region, that of Le Marche, from the ancient past right up to the present day, that never disappoint and always have so much to offer. For pleasurable, relaxing and genuinely memorable holidays, choose Le Marche!
