We returned to Pietrasanta on the weekend to enjoy the medieval festival that takes over the lovely piazza in front of the churches.
Many shops decorated their windows to enhance the theme of the festival.
Of course there were some stalls selling interesting things.
Above the piazza there was an area where we found archery, falcons and an owl (don’t ask me why there was an owl).
Here some of the participants feasted before the later performances.
We came upon an archery lesson.
There are always interesting faces in the crowd.
The first to entertain us was a troop of dancers.
The Tamburini followed.
Then the sbandieratori.
We couldn’t see well so we manoeuvred a better position on the steps. (Where we had set ourselves up, but had been moved on. Foolishly we moved only to have others dive into our spots)
A display of fighting was next.
…then some more with sticks.
The group left the piazza and the sbandieratori came back.
There is nothing I like better than a bit of flag throwing. These men are amazing. A flag is dropped onto an ankle, flicked to the foot in front and tossed into the air and the throwing begins.
All the players left the piazza and a group of musicians took over.
We wandered off to enjoy some porchetta before a last look at the piazza.
Pietrasanta is truly one of my favourite towns in Italy.