Balestro del Girifalco

Balestro del Girifalco per San Bernardino da Siena, Massa Marittima, Toscana, Italia (2011/05/22)

Balestro del Girifalco per San Bernardino da Siena - 2011/05/22

In Massa Marittima each year on the 4th Sunday of May and 2nd Sunday of August, the Terzieri (districts) renew the centuries-old challenge to achieve supremacy in the art of shooting crossbow (Balestra).

The competition is preceded by a parade of over 150 participants dressed in faithfully reproduced medieval costumes, and a skillful display of the Sbandieratori (flag throwers) who wave their flags with most elegant fashion.

Balestro Del Girifalco

I wasn't prepared for the rowdy behaviour of the tifosi as they tried to put an opponent crossbow man from another terziere off his aim! This was the 122nd Balestro Del Girifalco 2019, in Massa Marittima, Tuscany, Italy. A medieval crossbow tournament where crossbow men compete for the 'Palio' a silk banner painted by a different local artist each year. The tournament is between the 'Terzieri' or three historical districts of the city. Cittavecchia, Cittanuova and Borgo. Each terziere is represented by 8 crossbow men.
Before the competition there is a parade with musicians and banner men or flag throwers.
The shoot-out takes place in the wonderful Piazza Garibaldi in front of Massa Marittima's cathedral or Duomo, Cathedral Di San Cerbone.

After the parade, the competitors shoot their bolts across the square to the target, known as the “corniolo” or “tasso”. The target is in the middle of a falcon which represents the enemy. Set up at a 36 meter distance, the bolts are shot using a centuries-old Italian-style crossbow, a reproduction of the ones used during the 1400s. The crossbow man who manages to land closest to the bullseye can claim victory for his or her terziere. As a prize, the winner gets a golden arrow, while his or her neighbourhood gets to keep the famous palio.

Celebrating Saint Bernard (il giorno di San Bernardino, 20 May), this was the 122nd edition of the Balestro Del Girifalco, the first of two each year and took place on the 2 June 2019.