CALENDIMAGGIO 2023
Assisi, May 3-6, 2023
The Calendimaggio of Assisi (sometimes also transcribed Kalendimaggio) is a festival that is celebrated every first Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday after May 1st of every year, to greet the arrival of spring. The two Parts into which the city is divided, the Nobilissima Parte de Sopra and the Magnifica Parte de Sotto, compete for the conquest of the palio, through the development of processions in medieval costumes (about 13th century – mid 15th century), scenes recitations of re-enactment of medieval life in the alleys of the city and musical performances: the winning Party is decided by a jury, made up of internationally renowned experts, that is, a historian, a musicologist and a personality from the world of entertainment.
During the days of Calendimaggio, through the alleys of Assisi, you can relive the atmosphere of the typical medieval festival, with songs, music and jousting; the festival has ancient origins, dating back to the ancient tradition of the Umbrian people to greet the arrival of spring.
In these days, the people of Assisi wear traditional medieval clothes and follow a series of initiatives, including the suggestive Palio del Calendimaggio.
Festival program
…And May Day is coming
Thursday 21st April
19:30
Town Hall Square
Hall of Vaults
Opening of the Calendimaggio Tavern
Saturday 23rd April
10:00
Town Hall Square
Hall of Conciliation
27th “Carlo Lampone” Award
Tuesday 25th April
3.30 pm
Santa Clara Square
Selection competition among the Crossbowmen of the Parties
17:00
Town Hall Square
Hall of Conciliation
Presentation of the Jury “2022 Edition”
Sunday 30th April
16:00
New Church square
Presentation of Spring Madonnas*
Singing tribute of the “Singers of Assisi”
20:30
Propitiatory dinners in the districts of the Parthians
Monday 1st May
2.30 pm
Santa Clara Square
Show of the “Compagnia Balestrieri di Assisi”
17:00
Show of the “Assisi Flag-waving Group”
Tuesday 2 May
21:30
Alleys of Parte de Sotto and Parte de Sopra
Open scenes in costume
*in case of bad weather, the presentation of the Spring Madonnas will take place in the Sala della Conciliazione of the Palazzo Comunale
Festival programme
Wednesday 3 May – “Delivery of the Keys”
3.00 pm
Parte de Sotto – Blessing of the banners in the Upper Basilica of San Francesco
Parte de Sopra – Blessing of the banners in the Cathedral of San Rufino
3.45 pm
Ringing of the Bell of Laudi
Santa Clara Square
16:00
Departure Procession of the Calendimaggio body
Town Hall Square
Choir of the Parties – Execution of the Curfew Hymn
The Maestro di Campo assumes sovereign powers
Entrance to the processions. Restitution of the Palio.
Greetings from the President-Magistrate – Presentation of the Jurors.
Reading of the notices of challenge
Exit of the processions for Corso Mazzini and Piazza Santa Chiara
21:30
Parte de Sopra: Re-enactments of medieval life*
Thursday 4 May – “Madonna Primavera”
3.30 pm
Town Hall Square
Ringing of the Bell of Laudi
Entrance to the processions. Challenge games between the Parties:
Shooting competition of the Crossbowmen, Race of the strands, Tug of war
for the proclamation of Madonna Primavera.
Madonna Spring Parade.
Exit of the processions for Corso Mazzini and Piazza Santa Chiara.
21:30
Parte de Sotto: Re-enactments of medieval life*
Friday 5 May – “The Show”
3.30 pm
Town Hall Square
Show of the group of flag-wavers of Assisi
May Day of the Littles
Procession of the Evening – “The Tenzone”
21:30
Ringing of the Bell of Laudi
Entrance of the Parades of the Evening
Saturday 6 May – “The Challenge”
16:00
Town Hall Square
Ringing of the Bell of Laudi
Entrance of the historical parades
Exit of the processions for Corso Mazzini and Piazza Santa Chiara
“The singing”
21:30
Ringing of the Bell of Laudi
Singing challenge
Assignment of the Palio
