Gyrifalcon Crossbow
GYRfalcon CROSSBOW IN EVENTS
THE CROSSBOW OF THE GIRIFALCO OF MASSA MARITTIMA IS ONE OF THE MOST APPRECIABLE MEDIEVAL HISTORICAL EVENTS IN THE TUSCAN MAREMMA (AND PERHAPS ITALY), IT CONSISTS OF A CROSSBOW COMPETITION BETWEEN THE CITIZENS WITH A HISTORICAL PARADE AND FLAG WAVERS.
The historical re-enactment of the Balestro del Girifalco is held twice a year: the first in honor of San Bernardino da Siena, born in Massa Marittima, the second in honor of the free Municipality of Massa Marittima. The historical re-enactment was founded in the 14th century, as a spectacle for the citizens and to instruct the young people of Massa in the “laudable exercise of the crossbow so as to be useful in the times and cases needed”. To the winners: “whoever has the most shots on those days will be given a steel crossbow with a swivel”. The public palio took place normally until 1554, the year in which the city of Massa Marittima fell under the domination of Florence. The Balestro del Girifalco – today – takes place in the imposing and splendid setting of the fourteenth-century buildings in the center of Massa Marittima, with parades of participants (about 250) through the streets of the town, which reach the square in front of the Duomo – Cathedral of San Cerbone, where the crossbow competition takes place, reconstructed exactly as used in the 14th century.
Gallery
AT THE MASSA MARITTIMA CROSSBOW ARROWS ARE SHOT AT THE TARGET – “THE GIRIFALCO” – WHICH REPRESENTS THE ROBBERY BIRD THAT MUST BE CENTERED AND ELIMINATED BY THE PARTICIPANTS.
The Terzieri from:
- Cittavecchia – colours: white-black-yellow.
- Cittanuova – colours: white-red-green.
- Borgo – colours: yellow-blue-red.
The event usually starts around 5pm.
Resources on the Gyrifalcon Crossbow
- Society of Terzieri Massetani – Official website of the Balestro del Girifalco and the Terzieri of Borgo, Cittanuova and Cittavecchia.
