Thursday, June 24, 2010

Calendimaggio ~ Assisi

Every year on the first full Thursday, Friday and Saturday of May, it happens. Banners wave, horns blow, the drumming starts and the city is draped in flags. The locals in their medieval dress, dance and sing, compete in medieval games and complete to win. 

Parte de Sopra or Parte de Sotto? The upper (above Piazza del Comune) and lower (below the piazza) put on the most amazing medieval spring festival and everyone picks a side ... even the dogs and microphone booms! (see below!)

We were staying in Sotto (lower, with the red scarves) but our local friends Anne and Mauro were from Sopra, so we ended up donning blue scarves and hiding them under our jackets when heading back down to our hotel! This is serious stuff!
And completely and totally magical.
Nobilissima Parte de Sopra

Magnifica Parte de Sotto

Santa Maria Sopra Minerva 
in the Piazza del Commune

More Calendimaggio to come!

5 comments:

PK Studios said...

Awesome.... Incredible costumes! I want to see the film! Someday we'll go....

Kerry O'Gorman said...

How incredible...feels like you're in another time...the drums must have sounded amazing...love the photo of the lady with the big gold jiffy pop hat!

Don said...

So you are a good spy! :)

Cobalt Violet said...

Yes, Penny ... we will definitely have to go!!!

Kerry, it really does feel like going back in time! AND I was wondering what that hat reminded me of! ;)
Thanks!

Yep, Don, thanks to my dad's telephoto lens I became a spy. Just wait till you see the couples shots!

Victoria said...

Another super beautifu post! yay..tanks for sharing these truly unique festivals and all the magic they hold..a real treat!
WOW!