Two weekends to travel back in time and relive medieval Monteriggioni. The 18th Monteriggioni Medieval Festival will take place from 4 to 6 July and from 11 to 13 July.

The programme of the town near to Siena also offers new exciting features this year and a real leap into the atmospheres and historical events of past centuries.

The first two days of the festival will indeed move outside the walls of Monteriggioni castle for a historical reconstruction that is so similar that it seems real. At the feet of the fortified walls under attack, visitors will immediately be involved in a horse tournament, which sees the town's noble riders give battle in a dazzling chase of armour, colours and flags. All of this goes on while the castle, being set upon by Florentine Guelfi, is experiencing betrayals, small battles, everyday life and also the atmosphere of festivities and magic within its walls, all of which are typical of a day at a medieval fair.

For the second occasion, which takes place from 11 to 13 July, beneath the castle, visitors will be involved in the staging of open field battles and almost have to watch their backs against the strikes thrown by the artilleries reconstructed according to the details of the era. If not actually some armed fights, then some skirmishes will follow within the walls where, sheltered by the towers, the visitors are welcomed by theatre, music, medieval food, and the colours and smells of the time.

A medieval festival with laughs and jokes will be guaranteed by the castle's fireworks display, which will be done thanks to the scenic effects of fireworks that can be seen on two Sunday nights.

For information: http://www.comune.monteriggioni.si.it