Girifalco Crossbow

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One of the best-known medieval re-enactments in Tuscany is that of the Balestro del Girifalco held in Massa Marittima twice a year: on the fourth Sunday of May and on August 14th.

This event consists of a crossbow shooting competition, according to the rules of the ancient war games. Competing for the “palio”, the large silk drape, hand-painted every year by an artist, are the 3 terzieri (i.e. the 3 districts) of the city: Cittanuova, Cittavecchia and Borgo. Each terziere is represented by 8 crossbowmen, so that 24 crossbowmen participate in the challenge.

The race is preceded by a historical procession made up of over 150 participants, dressed in medieval costumes. Together with musicians and ladies, the Compagnia degli Sbandieratori di Massa Marittima also parades, performing with vaults and choreographies of great impact.

The procession develops through the city streets until it reaches the foot of the fourteenth-century Cathedral of San Cerbone, Duomo di Massa, a beautiful setting in which the race takes place.

In May, the Crossbow is played in the afternoon, starting at 5:30 pm, while the August edition takes place at night starting at 9 pm. After the procession, the first crossbowman climbs onto the shooting bench and shoots his arrow towards the target, the “dogwood” or “badger”.
Located at a distance of 36 meters, the dogwood is located in the center of the large gyrfalcon; The arrows are shot using the ancient Italian crossbow, a reproduction of those used in the 1400s. The shooter who manages to fit his arrow closest to the exact center of the target, wins the victory for his terziere. As a gift, the winning crossbowman is honored with a golden arrow, while his terziere is awarded the famous palio.