​The Saracen Joust of Arrezo is held the first Sunday in September every year. 

The Parade

This is a colorful display of rivalry. Participants represent four quadrants of the town dress in respective colors of green/red, yellow/crimson, white/green, yellow/blue. Each team parades through the town with much regalia and fanfare culminating in the Knight's Tournament in the Piazza Grande.

I rambled through the city, tasting the local food, including Boar's Head. Other vendors selling arts, crafts, and tourist merchandise gathered in the park.

The beautiful walled city contained churches and quaint restaurants. Crowds of people swirled in the streets. We got prime seats for the joust after waiting in an interminable line. Like "Medieval Times' we got to cheer for our home team- Porta del Foro, known as Porta S.Lorentino (yellow and crimson colors).

The Tournament

Riders take turns charging the "Buratto," the King of the Indies. Aiming to hit the shield he carries. Points are awarded by landing the lance in the marked squares. Getting hit during the run by the Buratto's whip will leave a black mark and possibly a bruise on the rider. In the end, the points are tallied with penalties deducted for being hit.

As much as I enjoyed the festival atmosphere, I would return to Arrezo at another time to take a more leisurely stroll through its alleyways.

Useful links

​www.discovertuscany.com