The Quintain tournament was born in 1946 when, in very casual circumstances, the “Association for Mutual Aid among workers, farmers and other citizens from Foligno” wanted to celebrate the 85th anniversary of its foundation. For this purpose they took up again an old horse competition in period costume: a Quintain racing that had been made in Foligno on 10th February 1613, at Carnival time, and that is described in every detail by the Chancellor of the time, Ettore Tesorieri.

In 1946 the whole town understood that this festival was a possibility to bring again unity and harmony among the population, who was tried by the last world war, that had just finished.

They wrote a “Competition Notice” with the useful information to participate in the tournament and, consequently in the festival.

That is why still today every district in Foligno has got, in its rules, the possibility to count on hundred of period costumes, all made with great care by the town tailors, according to the period drawings (late Renaissance). A Historic and Artistic Commitee makes sure that the ornaments and the clothes are consistent with the period and that they do not present any “eccentricity” out of time.

Besides the accuracy of the historical recalling made by the walk-on procession, the real attraction is represented by the tournament itself, a fascinating and extraordinary game. In fact, in the tournament racing field (“Campo de li Giochi”) ten knights, who represent the different districts of the town, challenge one another in an ability competition: while riding full tilt a horse at gallop, they have to try to run a rope through a series of rings with a diameter that gradually becomes narrower and then they have to run this rope into an ancient wooden statue called, exactly, Quintain.

Both show and fun are guaranteed and during the days before the games, the other events are picturesque, as well, as the “Big Supper” (opening of the town’s inns and procession of the historical parade) or the “Flag games” (the districts’ flag-wavers).

So, now come to Foligno between 3rd and 16th June and we wish you a lot of fun!!

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