L'articolo descrive il festival del Calendimaggio che si svolge ogni anno ad Assisi, in Umbria. Il Calendimaggio si celebra durante la prima settimana di maggio. La festa non è solo una celebrazione ma anche una tradizione precristiana del Medioevo. Esiste una rivalità tra la Parte di Sopra della città e la Parte di Sotto. Le due fazioni hanno una propria interpretazione della vita medievale con i costumi dell'epoca. Ci sono anche processioni e spettacoli teatrali e musicali. Una giuria determina il vincitore del concorso. Conoscere il Calendimaggio è un'opportunità per vedere il legame tra passato e presente.

Every year on March 8, Italy joins the wEach May, the ancient town of Assisi, Italy transforms into a vibrant stage of color, tradition, and historical reenactment during Calendimaggio — one of the most beloved and immersive festivals in the country. With roots tracing back to pre-Christian spring celebrations and medieval rivalries, Calendimaggio brings the spirit of the Middle Ages back to life in spectacular fashion.

The word Calendimaggio comes from the Latin Kalendae Maii — the first days of May, a time long associated with the rebirth of nature, fertility rites, and joyous celebration. In medieval times, this period also marked a kind of “civic new year,” when life moved back outdoors and townspeople welcomed the warmer months with music and dancing.

In Assisi, these springtime traditions merged with the city’s medieval history, particularly the rivalry between two historic factions: the Parte de Sopra (Upper Part) and the Parte de Sotto (Lower Part). This rivalry forms the heart of Calendimaggio, as both sides compete in a friendly but passionate contest of artistry, pageantry, and performance.

Calendimaggio takes place during the first week of May, typically from Wednesday to Saturday, in the historic center of Assisi, a hill town in the Umbria region.

The main square, Piazza del Comune, becomes the central stage for much of the festival, but the entire town participates, with streets adorned in medieval banners and the sounds of drums and lutes echoing from every corner.

Calendimaggio is not just a festival — it’s a theatrical competition played out over four days between the Parte de Sopra and Parte de Sotto. Each side brings its own interpretation of medieval life, complete with authentic costumes, processions, plays, and musical performances. A panel of judges — usually experts in music, history, and theater — ultimately decides which faction has won that year’s title.

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There are many main events during this festival. La Consegna delle Chiavi (The Handing Over of the Keys) is the official start of the festivities, where the mayor of Assisi symbolically hands control of the city over to the festival’s "Magnificent Masters" representing each faction. Il Calendimaggio dei Piccoli (The Children's Calendimaggio) is a delightful prelude where local children participate in costumes and mini-performances, reflecting the larger events to come. During the Historical Processions, each side presents an elaborate parade through the streets, with knights, noble ladies, peasants, and musicians in painstakingly recreated medieval attire. The Theatrical Scenes and Musical Challenges are highly anticipated competitions involving medieval drama, serenades, and choral works, all performed in period style. La Sfida (The Challenge) is the emotional climax of the festival — a showdown of songs, storytelling, and spectacle under the stars, culminating in the crowning of the winning faction.

Calendimaggio is more than a historical reenactment — it’s a community event, deeply rooted in local pride. Assisi's residents work all year to prepare for the festival, crafting costumes, rehearsing songs, and building scenery.

Tourists are warmly welcomed, but Calendimaggio remains an event by and for the people of Assisi, making it an authentic window into local identity.

The festival also honors Assisi’s broader legacy — not only as the birthplace of St. Francis of Assisi, but as a cultural crossroads between tradition, spirituality, and artistic expression.

Attending Calendimaggio is like stepping into a living fresco. The soft glow of torches, the clash of swords, the haunting beauty of medieval song, and the spirited cheers of rivalry create an atmosphere that transcends time. Whether you’re a history enthusiast, a music lover, or a curious traveler, Calendimaggio offers a rare opportunity to witness a town breathing life into its past with extraordinary devotion and joy.

From Anne Robichaud of www.annesitaly.com: “A highpoint of springtime in Umbria – and all of central Italy – is Assisi’s stunning early May medieval festival, Calendimaggio, welcoming the arrival of spring in four days of glorious euphoria.
The splendid medieval pageantry is certainly a highlight of my annual early May 10-day Anne’s Italy “Inside Umbria” Celebration for 10 people ready to live a truly in depth experience of Umbrian life. No words describe Calendimaggio’s majestic splendor, nor la passione of the assisani. May these photos inspire you to one day experience the wonders, live la passione firsthand.”