Living in Tuscany: Our Magical Medieval Festival in Italy

Living in Tuscany: Our Magical Medieval Festival in Italy

Welcome back to Boazano. Come with us as we step back in time for the town’s biggest celebration of the year. Every first weekend of September, the streets come alive with history, music, food, and tradition. And in this video, we’re taking you to the heart of the festival we recently celebrated. [Music] [Music] So, what inspired this much loved festival? Ecoazano is a medieval town full of stories. Its towers built by noble families centuries ago still rise above the streets like silent sentinels. [Music] [Music] [Applause] [Music] Every corner, every alleyway whispers tales of life in another age. And it’s that living history that transforms the town into a festival where the past comes alive before your very eyes. [Music] [Applause] [Music] So, we’ve just left the house. It’s Saturday morning. It’s Saturday. Saturday. Start the festival. Video evil festival now. People getting ready, you know. Oh, we need to put our banners outside the window. I still have them. Okay, we’ll explain that later. But we’re here in Vante. We’ve just come out the door and everybody is preparing for the medieval festival. This is the biggest festival of the year in Picopano. Our quiet little street will have thousands of people walking up and down in a few hours. So, what we’re going to show you now is this is the setup for this event. So, come with us and enjoy. Setup for the medieval festival begins early on the first morning. Although some of the tiveras were already busy preparing a day or two before. After a quick coffee, we took a stroll through the village, starting from the north side. From here, you can see cylindrical watchtowers rising against the ancient defensive walls. A striking reminder of Vikasano’s medieval past. [Music] What will be interesting is when we come back here this evening and you will not thank you guys. Gracia you will not believe how these this will be transformed and how people will be dressed. So all these guys that you’ve just seen now they’ll all be dressed like medieval nobles. Look, you’ve got some of the equipment here. [Laughter] We have this this stuff here. The helmets. Oh, they’re very beautiful, aren’t they? Ready for flight. Let’s go. So, this evening, this area here is going to be turned into a medieval tavern. Now, at the medieval taverns, they serve really simple food. Remember, in medieval times, there were no tomatoes, which seems to be the base of most Italian dishes these days, but there were no tomatoes, so we won’t be getting anything with the tomato base tonight. So, let’s show you the setup of the taverns. Now, look at this bamboo. I love the bamboo. So, all the medieval taverns will be um decorated with this bamboo here. I have no idea where they get it from, but it looks absolutely fantastic and authentic. [Music] Preparation for the medieval festival is a community effort and it’s something the vicari the people of Vikano are incredibly proud of. Entire families across generations come together to transform the town. Over the two days of the festival, thousands of visitors fill the historic center, winding between the towers and narrow lanes, all the way up to Brunolesk’s fortress on the hill. It’s a true step back in time. Even the menus in the Tiveras are written in Latin. Here, for example, fungam is the medieval word that later became fungi. the Italian word for mushrooms. Beyond the taverns with medieval style meats on the grill, Tuscan soups and beans, the festival’s food market is full of local flavor. There are stalls run by producers we know well, like the family we buy our eggs from every Saturday morning at the market. We were especially delighted to meet the newest member of their family, Baby Leonardo. [Music] So here are the famous eggs of Vikano. Say when you have eggs, you make eggnog. Eggnog eggnog. So look, it’s an egg lucure. Oh, I think we must take some of that home. [Music] And here’s something truly local. The Nazi de Kalchinaya. Kalchinaya is just 5 minutes from Vikasano. And it’s here where the Nazi originate. This fragile conicle wafer is made with sugar, eggs, anise, rosolio leure and flour, and it has been baked for centuries, especially for weddings. At the festival, you’ll see the irons heating and these delicate knots taking shape, a sweet link to our neighbors histories and traditions. You’ll also find local bakers and pastry makers offering rich, decadent cakes and pastries, many inspired by medieval recipes. Among the Tuscan favorites is Castanacho, a rustic cake made from chestnut flour, raisins, and pine nuts. Another treat is fretelli drizzo. Sweet fried rice balls traditionally served for carnival time, adding a playful touch to the festival’s flavors. For beverages, we sampled a medieval style aerivo made with rabax, a spiced wine mixed with kinto, a bittersweet soda made from the kinotto fruit. The glass rim was rubbed with fresh sage for an aromatic touch. [Music] One of the most fun elements of the festival is exchanging your euros for medieval money. The grao. This historic coin lets you shop, eat, and experience the festival just like people would have centuries ago. It’s a tradition especially loved by children, sparking their imaginations and bringing history to life. [Music] And the fun doesn’t stop there. The streets come alive with entertainment for all ages. From flagthrowers and drummers to street musicians and fire performers, these skilled artists captivate audiences with their daring displays, spinning flames in mesmerizing patterns. Whether you’re dancing in the streets or watching in awe, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. [Music] And what about the artisans? The festival is as much about craftsmanship as it is about food, entertainment, and of course, history. All along the streets, we found local woodworkers. They were shaping olive wood into spoons, bowls, and boards. Simple, beautiful pieces that carry the character of the tree itself. They make practical souvenirs, but also something lasting that you can take home as a memory of Tuscanyany. A little further on, the jewelry makers had set up their stalls. What made this special is that they weren’t just selling, they were creating right there in front of us, hammering, polishing, and shaping each design on the spot. It meant that every piece was not only handmade but also tied to the atmosphere of the festival itself. For the children, there were traditional wooden toys, the kind that don’t need batteries or screens. Just imagination. And for anyone wanting to look the part, flower garlands to wear in your hair, a simple accessory that instantly makes you feel part of the medieval festival. [Music] And finally, our resident basket maker, Roco. He’s part of the soul of Vik Pazano, and no festival feels complete without him. His baskets are strong, practical, and beautifully made. But what makes Rocker stand out is his spirit. Often you’ll see him weaving with a smile, breaking into song, or even dancing as the day goes on. He’s as much an entertainer as he is a craftsman. [Music] [Music] Sunday morning after the first night of the festival. The festival kept going until about 2:30 3:30 in the morning and today the village is back to its tranquil self. [Music] Sunday morning has a different rhythm here in Vikasano. The village is calm, the streets are quiet, the stalls are empty. Well, at least until this evening. One event we haven’t yet shown you is the medieval banquet, which takes place on both nights of the festival. It’s an extraordinary reenactment of medieval revalry complete with a multicourse medieval inspired dinner and live entertainment, but places are limited and only a few select make it onto the reservation list. We weren’t on the list this year, but we did manage to sneak a peek at the banquet tables. Earthnware dishes, clay jugs, candle holders, strings of ivy, and bowls of fresh fruit already waiting, all set in the most evocative location, right at the top of the hill, beneath the shadow of Brunolesque’s Fortress. We’ve made a promise that in 2026, we’ll be there, costumes and all. Let us know in the comments if you’d like to join us at the table for this unique Tuscan experience. For now, we’ll leave you with a few more joyful images from Vikasano’s medieval festival. If you’ve watched this far, we hope you’ve enjoyed our glimpse into how a small Tuscan town comes alive with history, tradition, and plenty of fun. Thank you for watching, and we’ll see you next time. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. [Music]

Living in Tuscany – come with us to experience our magical Medieval Festival in the heart of Vicopisano! Wander the charming streets, watch multigenerational locals (the Viceresi) prepare taverns, artisans craft beautiful olive-wood items and jewellery, and enjoy traditional Tuscan foods like the famous Nozze dessert from nearby Calcinaia.

From flag throwers, drummers, and fire performers to medieval coins and family-friendly entertainment, immerse yourself in the sights, sounds, and flavours of Vicopisano’s rich history.

Whether you’re a history lover, foodie, or Tuscany traveller, this video is your ultimate guide to Vicopisano’s medieval magic.

📍 Location: Vicopisano, Tuscany, Italy
📅 Annual Festival: First weekend of September
🎥 Check out our previous video exploring Via Lante and local artisans: https://youtu.be/Z7Wmugc_3gA?si=_mBwaUu5B0yqamGH

DISCOVER VICOPISANO AND STAY WITH US! https://authentic-tuscany.com/

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