Each year on the 25th of July, thousands of spectators flood the Piazza del Duomo of Pistoia in Tuscany in order to witness a very special sporting event.
This is the “Giostra Dell Orso”, or Joust of the Bear, a jousting contest that was so named in 1947 but has existed in one form or another since c. 1200.
Tied to celebrations in honour of the city's patron saint, St James, on whose feast day the Giostra Dell'Orso takes place, it sees the piazza transformed into an oval race course for the day.
Why not witness the event for yourself and stay nearby in a tuscan luxury villa?
This is the “Giostra Dell Orso”, or Joust of the Bear, a jousting contest that was so named in 1947 but has existed in one form or another since c. 1200.
Tied to celebrations in honour of the city's patron saint, St James, on whose feast day the Giostra Dell'Orso takes place, it sees the piazza transformed into an oval race course for the day.
Why not witness the event for yourself and stay nearby in a tuscan luxury villa?
The four historical districts, or “rioni” - the White Deer, the Dragon, the Golden Lion and the Griffon - participate in the event and battle to be crowned the winner.
Each of these districts is represented by three knights a piece in the event. The knights enter the course in pairs and must do a lap before attempting to “kill the bear”.
This is actually a bear-shaped target that they need to hit with their lances. The knight who hits the target first gets three points, if the other knight hits it as well, that knight gets one point. If they don't hit it at all, they get no points.
There are eighteen rounds and the district with the most points at the closing of the competition is declared the winner.
This is a great event for people of all ages and the whole family but bear in mind that you might want to get seating tickets if attending with children. These are somewhat more expensive but worth it!
Each of these districts is represented by three knights a piece in the event. The knights enter the course in pairs and must do a lap before attempting to “kill the bear”.
This is actually a bear-shaped target that they need to hit with their lances. The knight who hits the target first gets three points, if the other knight hits it as well, that knight gets one point. If they don't hit it at all, they get no points.
There are eighteen rounds and the district with the most points at the closing of the competition is declared the winner.
This is a great event for people of all ages and the whole family but bear in mind that you might want to get seating tickets if attending with children. These are somewhat more expensive but worth it!
The joust itself takes place at 9.30 pm but there are events and a festival all day and lots more to see and do. In the morning there is a colourful historical parade full of people in costume which winds its way through the city and special mass in the cathedral in honour of the patron saint. At 8 pm there is also a procession through the town as the districts, knights and horses make their way to the Piazza del Duomo for the joust.
If you're interested in history, sports, festivals, food, costume or local traditions of Tuscany, this event is not to be missed!
If you're interested in history, sports, festivals, food, costume or local traditions of Tuscany, this event is not to be missed!
Photo Credits:
Picture 1: MM / CC BY-SA 3.0;
Picture 2: Mac9 / CC BY-SA 3.0
Picture 1: MM / CC BY-SA 3.0;
Picture 2: Mac9 / CC BY-SA 3.0