Last minute Events Gualdo Tadino

It is the historical rival of ancient competitions, that have aroused everybody’s interest in the past and today, where the inhabitants of Gualdo Tadino who are divided in four quarters, San Benedetto, San Donato, San Facondino and San Martino, each of them corresponding to the respective four gates, compete for the victory. The games last three days and consist of four captivating challenges. The race with a cart that is drawn by a donkey goes along the streets of the town centre, and then follows the shooting with a catapult, where the catapulters have to hit a small ceramic target. Another precision competition is the archery, whereas the exciting race Corsa a Pelo terminates the games. Here the jockeys compete on a donkey’s back running at the same time along a course on Gualdo Tadino's streets. The event is accompanied by an impressive historical procession and by an exhibition of flag-wavers; both of them contribute much to create a genuine medieval atmosphere where Gualdo Tadino dives in for three days.

April: May Feast - It is one of the by far most ancient and studied rites and it takes place in the locality of San Pellegrino. It is said to date back even to 1004 and consists in choosing a high and imposing poplar tree which is taken away from its rightful owner under cover of darkness, brought to and put up on the square. There it remains for the entire month until at the end of May it is given back to the rightful owner.
June: The night of fire and the “guazza” - It is a historical recalling in medieval costumes, which takes place at Grello, at the time of summer solstice. It is a proper race where torches and tall wax candles are shouldered and the representatives of the three neighbourhoods light big bonfires. Besides flowers and herbs are picked in order to use them for the “guazza”, which is distributed among the spectators with a roll, the "panetto di San Giovanni".