Jousting in Arezzo

My wife, Rosalie, and I were fortunate to be able to attend the Giostra del Saracino, the Jousting of the Saracen (tickets, phone 0575 3772 62 [or 60 or 63], fax 377464), in Arezzo, Italy, on June 18, 2011. This tournament takes place twice a year. (In 2012 it’s on June 23 & Sept. 2.)

Held in the Piazza Grande, the pageant began at 9:30 p.m. and ran until midnight. First, the mayor read a proclamation and a challenge to the four neighborhoods of Arezzo. The bishop then blessed the proceedings.

Led by trumpeters, a procession of 300 to 400 people dressed in medieval costumes marched and sang throughout the city and into the square. Some bore flags with the standards of the four neighborhoods, and they demonstrated their skill by throwing the flags into the air and catching them.

Then eight mounted knights, two from each neighborhood, jousted with “the Saracen,” a rotating target dummy that held a shield in one hand and, in the other, a 3-tailed flail with lead balls covered with leather.

Points were scored if the knight hit the center of the shield with his lance. Points were doubled if he broke his lance on the shield. If he hit off-center, the dummy spun and could strike the knight or his horse with the whip; the jouster then lost points. The knights with the highest score won the “golden lance” for their neighborhood.

We were among the hundreds of spectators watching the jousting. Many stood, but we had bought bleacher seats for about €50 (near $75) apiece. We bought our tickets through our hotel, the Graziella Patio (Via Cavour 23, Arezzo; phone +39 0575 40 19 62).

During the joust, the spectators were very emotional. There was a lot of cheering and yelling. It was a day I will always remember.

GERALD BITMAN
Lake Worth, FL