(map) 
People who live in Foligno modestly call their city the “center of the world”, and if you attend the spectacular event known as the Quintana, you’ll understand why.
Located in the center of Umbria, which is known as the “heart of Italy”, Foligno consists of ten contrade (or neighborhoods).
Every year each contrada competes in an elaborate joust in which each knight, riding his own galloping horse, catches a series of gradually smaller and smaller rings. These rings hang from a wooden statue called a quintana.
The evening before an elaborately costumed procession takes place, in which most of the town participates. There are more than 1,000 people in the procession.
Each horse and knight entered in the competition on behalf of their contrada openly shows off to much applause from the thousands of spectators lined up to watch.
Why not join the crowd this year and help cheer them on? (Two dates in 2010: June 12th and September 12th)
Thanks to Giovanni Bosi, Laura Toro and www.folignoweb.it for their assistance.
– Contributed by Evanne Brandon Diner (see bio), chronicler of local village life in Northern Lazio, and property restoration and purchasing consultant. www.lavventuraitalia.com
How did I miss this one when we lived in Umbria! It looks spectacular.
Looks like lots of fun!
It’s great fun, and we loved the town, but on this Sunday, April 25th, there is the Palio in Bomarzo which is also a lot of fun. If you’re around, check with the Bomarzo Pro Loco for details.
Italians treasure their rich, historical celebrations. Aren’t we glad? Medieval Foligno showed Sienna, Florence, Gubbio and other neighbors how to celebrate!
I have beem awaree of the #QUINTANA# for a long time and been told by some lucky friends that lived in the area.Glad that you offered it Nation-wide and the pictures spoke more than any words could ever descibe it!Congratulations again for the extremely beautiful gifts that you offer us weekly.
We were at the last quintana and it was wonderful. The pagentry and all the beautiful COSTUMES OF TIMES PAST is someting to see. All capped off by the QUINTANA.