Pordenone's Four Historic Quarters Will Shoot for an Archery Palio as Torre's Giostra dei Castelli Turns Forty
About 300 costumed performers will recall the Turkish raids of 1499 over two days in the Torre district, with the fourth archery palio on Sunday.
The Giostra dei Castelli returns to the Torre district of Pordenone, in north-eastern Italy, on 19 and 20 September 2026 for its 40th edition, with the fourth Palio della Giostra dei Castelli, an archery contest between the city's four historic quarters, among the highlights, Diario di Pordenone reported.
About 300 costumed participants will take part in processions, encampments, a market, demonstrations of old trades and entertainment, with 15th-century settings across the area. The event is organised by the association Il Castello - Torre Aps with a network of volunteers who have supported it for years.
The historical backdrop is the events of 1499, when Turkish raids struck the villages of the area hard. The reconstruction has broadened its appeal over the years and now involves historical groups from other Italian regions.
The medieval village opens at 4pm on Saturday, followed by the procession of the Count of Ragogna at 8pm and a show titled Hercole - La leggenda di un semidio at 10pm. On Sunday, the programme resumes at 3pm with another procession of the Count of Ragogna and the constables of neighbouring lands, before the archers compete.
Regional councillor Markus Maurmair, who attended the presentation with Pordenone's culture councillor Alberto Parigi, highlighted volunteer participation as one of the foundations that allowed the event to become established. The region has a dedicated programme recognising the cultural, social and tourism value of historical re-enactments.