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Italy - Local Festsivals Flags

Last modified: 2013-11-20 by rob raeside
Keywords: italy | festival | palio | contrada | siena | massa lombarda | gubbio | sulmona | ferrara | versilia |
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Overview

In many Italian towns there are anniversaries of historical (especially medieval) events with costume parades and flag throwing. Most Italian towns were founded many centuries ago, therefore everywhere there is a battle or another historical event to celebrate. In the last years there is a renewed interest for this kind of celebrations, often for touristic purposes; many of them are called "Palio", the same name of the famous "Palio di Siena". There are also rentable flag throwing groups in costume.
Giuseppe Bottasini, 4 June 1996

Is there a limited geographic area of palio-cities? I know that the best known palios are in cities in Northern Italy (the Po valley?), but I wander if there aren't other palios in other places...
Jorge Candeias, 22 September 1999


Giostra della Rocca

The flags of the "Giostra della Rocca" are at <www.windnet.it/giostradellarocca/frazioni.htm>. There are 9 "frazioni".
Dov Gutterman, 16 September 1999


Gubbio

From <www.SBANDIERATORI.COM>:
"Numerous historical documents from Gubbio's Municipal Archives show that the art of flag throwing has been known in this town since the 14th century. The first of these documents dates back to 1380 when the artist, Luca Petruccio, was commissioned to decorate "flags for waving". In Medieval times a group of flag wavers took part in civil, military and religious ceremonies. This glorious tradition has been taken up again by the "Gruppo Sbandieratori" (Flag Throwers Group) which is part of the Società dei Balestrieri (Association of Crossbowmen). Sewn onto the flags are the symbols of Gubbio's history going as for back as the "stilemi" of the primeval Umbrian people who were among the first to inhabit the Italian peninsula. These flags come to life as they are taken through a series of precise and rapid movements which lead to the more spectacular games in which they are thrown higher and higher in an explosion of colour. The flag throwers are the new ambassadors of this civilization, drawing strength from their cultural heritage to bring a universal and eternal message of freedom and peace to the world."
Dov Gutterman, 16 September 1999


Ferrara

The gonfalone of Ferrara's "Contrada di San Giorgio" is from <www.comune.fe.it>.
Dov Gutterman, 16 September 1999

Capital of Ferrara province, Emilia Romagna, 80 km SW Venice, 150.000 inh..
Jarig Bakker, 16 September 1999


Legnano

A lot of Coat of Arms at <www.retecivica.legnano.mi.it>. A detailed account of the Sagra del Carroccio - Palio delle Contrade in Legnano near Milano with what could be a flag at <www.retecivica.legnano.mi.it/default2.htm>.
Jarig Bakker, 5 September 1999

Legnano: Commune, Milano province, Lombardy, 17 km NNW of Milano, 50.000 inh. Frederick Barbarossa was defeated here in 1176 by the Lombard League.
Jarig Bakker, 6 September 1999


Massa Lombarda

The symbols of Massa Lombarda * Quartiere* can be seen at: <www.geocities.com/Heartland/Plains/9654/quartie.htm#I>.
There are four of them : Bolognano , San Giovanni , San Paolo and Meletolo.
Dov Gutterman, 9 September 1999

Commune in Ravenna province, Emilia Romagna, 5910 inhabitants (1910), 10 km northeast to Imola.
Jarig Bakker, 9 September 1999


Sulmona

Flags of Sulmona *Borghi* and *Sestieri* can be seen at <www.arc.it/giostra/borghi.htm>:
-Borgo S.Maria della Tomba
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Sestiere di Porta Filiorum Amabilis
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Sestiere di Porta Bonurum Hominum
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Borgo San Panfilo
-Borgo Pacentrano
-Sestiere di Porta Iohannis Passarum
-Sestiere di Porta Manaresca
Dov Gutterman, 28 August 1999

City in l'Aquila province, Abruzzi, 20.000 inhabitants. Birthplace of the Latin poet Ovid (43 BC - 17 AD).
Jarig Bakker, 9 September 1999


Versilia

Information and photos at <versilia.toscana.it>, with long English text.
Jarig Bakker, 18 March 2000