| Sfida dei Borghi (Challenge of the Wards) - Monte | | | | respective teams. There is no way a visitor could |
| Compatri. Imagine a medieval-style archery | | | | walk away unimpressed. |
| contest, people dressed in period costume | | | | Cena Medievale (Medieval Dinner) - Vignanello. |
| surrounding the contest area and an attentive | | | | Summertime in Italy spells night and day |
| crowd following every shot of the competitors. | | | | festivities and celebrations. Because the days are |
| This is what you will see if you go to Monte | | | | usually so warm, people normally tend to go out |
| Compatri, a small town in the vicinity of Rome, in | | | | at night. So, quite a number of events take place |
| the middle of August. The interest of the | | | | in the evening. This is just what happens at |
| townsfolk is particularly keen because each archer | | | | Vignanello, a town located fairly close to Rome. |
| represents one of the towns 5 wards and a | | | | On the third week of July a medieval dinner is |
| victory will enhance the "status" of a ward for | | | | held in town to enable guests to taste dishes |
| the coming year. Before the actual contest starts, | | | | prepared in accordance with old recipes of local |
| a long, sumptuously dressed procession easily | | | | cuisine. The setting definitely harks back to the |
| wins the spectators admiration, thanks to the | | | | Middle Ages and the sensation of having for a |
| beautiful costumes worn by its 300 participants, | | | | moment reverted to an ancient past is enhanced |
| who parade through the local streets packed with | | | | by a historical procession, where the participants |
| enthusiastic crowds. Street artists and other | | | | wear period costumes. As a final touch, |
| performers complete a truly interesting | | | | flag-wavers provide a splendid exhibition in which |
| programme that is always enjoyed by the local | | | | folklore and ability are equally matched. |
| population as much as by visiting tourists. | | | | Infiorata (Flower Petal Art Display) - Genazzano. |
| Mercatini del 600 (17th century Markets) - | | | | Flowers have always been regarded as a beautiful |
| Bassano Romano. This is a town in the vicinity of | | | | ornament of houses and gardens, but if you wish |
| Rome that, though already existing in Etruscan (i.e. | | | | to see a display of flower petal art over half a |
| pre-Roman) times, actually grew to become a | | | | mile long, forming a variety of designs made |
| sizable town in the Middle Ages and had its | | | | directly on the streets, you must go to |
| heyday in the 17th century. The event we are | | | | Genazzano, a town in the Rome area, on the first |
| referring to is organized early in the month of July | | | | Sunday in July. This special event draws large |
| to recreate the atmosphere typical of a 17th | | | | crowds of visitors because of the patient and |
| century market day in Bassano. The whole town | | | | precise work involved and its extraordinary |
| turns into an open-air museum, as a result of | | | | results. An unbroken stream of colourful patterns |
| accurate scenic effects that are intended to | | | | winds through the streets of the town delivering |
| reproduce the daily life and activities of the local | | | | a message of peace, beauty and love of nature |
| people at the time. A number of people wear | | | | that is truly touching in its simplicity and yet |
| period costumes, while standards, banners, | | | | admirable in its perfection. In the afternoon the |
| torches, flowers and a host of other decorations | | | | Procession of the Sacred Heart, which includes |
| help to complete a lovely setting that has been | | | | 400 participants dressed in period costumes, |
| drawing ever increasing crowds of visitors, | | | | passes over the flowers decorating the streets |
| particularly among those who are interested in | | | | as a sign of devotion. |
| history from the late Middle Ages onwards. | | | | Sagra dei Bucatini all'Amatriciana (Festival of |
| Gara dei Giochi di Bandiera (Flag Wavers' | | | | Bucatini all'Amatriciana) - Nerola. You are no doubt |
| Competition) - Piansano Romano. Is flag-waving | | | | familiar with many types of pasta. Have you ever |
| just a simple game? The answer is, it all depends | | | | tasted bucatini, though? This variety is quite |
| on how its done. If you go to Piansano Romano in | | | | common in Central Italy, particularly in the |
| the month of July, you might be surprised to see | | | | amatriciana version. The sauce is absolutely divine |
| what an expert flag-waver can do. The flag | | | | and its ingredients include pancetta, which is similar |
| almost seems to come alive in his hands, as he | | | | to bacon. The Festival that takes place at Nerola |
| throws it around, up and down and passes it to | | | | in late July/early August focuses on this specialty |
| other members of the team. Just imagine the | | | | and the result is invariably superb. We suggest |
| glorious colours of many flags moving at the | | | | that, if you are in the Rome area on the date of |
| same time, often in opposite directions. Its really a | | | | the Festival, you visit Nerola and see if you agree |
| stunning spectacle, which is all the more | | | | with our opinion. If you have tried bucatini |
| picturesque because it is carried out in medieval | | | | all'Amatriciana back home, you will probably notice |
| costume. Of course, the local team must | | | | a considerable difference in taste, which is mostly |
| compete with out-of-town teams and these are | | | | due to the ability of the housewives who prepare |
| strong competitors to be reckoned with. The | | | | the pasta with their own hands, according to |
| teams use all their skills and stamina to carry the | | | | traditional recipes that have been handed down |
| day and the public shouts their support of the | | | | for generations. |