This 132nd Balestro will be dedicated to the 800th anniversary of the death of St Francis of Assisi. The days leading up to the Balestro will be packed with events: it all begins on Friday 22 May at 10.30 am in the main hall of the lower secondary school with the presentation of the Balestruzzo palios for May and August, created by pupils from the Don Curzio Breschi school. The programme continues at 9.00 pm at the Cassero Senese with the Balestruzzo, a crossbow shooting competition for young crossbowmen. On Saturday 23 May at 11.00 am, in the Palazzo dell’Abbondanza, the customary ceremony will be held to present the banner to be awarded to the winning district, created by the artist Tommaso Andreini. At 4.45 pm, the historical procession is scheduled to pass through the streets of the town centre, ending at Piazza Garibaldi where the proclamation will be read, followed by the archery competition between the Girifalco archers, a performance by the Compagnia Sbandieratori e Musici, the draw for the crossbowmen’s shooting order, and at 8.00 pm the day will conclude with the pre-tournament social dinners organised by the three districts. On Sunday 24 May, at 5 pm, the historical procession will set off from Piazza XXIV Maggio, winding its way through the streets of the town centre until it reaches Piazza Garibaldi, where the 132nd Girifalco Crossbow Tournament will take place at 5.30 pm.

Ticket advance sales information: Massa Marittima Tourist Office 0566 906554