2011-05-22
Balestro del Girifalco
Balestro del Girifalco is a fabulous crossbow-shooting contest between the different districts of Massa Marittima, an unexpected little gem of a town in the wilderness of the Maremma. It is held twice a year, in May and in August.
The contest culminates in a competition to shoot down a mechanical
falcon, followed by food, drink and colourful parades to brighten up the
townscape.
The crossbow might seem like an outmoded weapon now,
but its arrival heralded radical changes in the battlefield strategies
and in its time it was a fearsome weapon, capable of penetrating thick
suits of armour.
When: 22 May 2011
Where: Massa Marittima, Italy
From: whatsonwhen.com
last modification: 2011-04-11