Historical Giostra del Gonfalone, Town of Magliano Sabina

The time of the Giostra del Gonfalone has come, as in previous years. An event that engages the entire community, divided in contrade, each representing the medieval town quarters.

The exhibition extends for four days, starting from Thursday, and reaches its peak the next Sunday, during the Domenica dello Anello (Sunday of the Ring).

What the Giostra del Gonfalone Town of Magliano Sabina Means

The Giostra is a historical reenactment of centuries-old rituals, aiming to bring back ancient cultural traditions of an entire community.

For five centuries, from 1300 to 1800 A.D., the town of Magliano, part of the Pontifical State, found itself in a particular position, being a feud of the Campidoglio under the jurisdiction of the Rome municipality.

Alternately, one of the three Conservatori Capitolini,an important role second only to the Senator, inspected Magliano in order to prevent and, when needed, sedate any sort of rebellion.

The reenactment, performed by  the inhabitants of Magliano Sabina, is based precisely on these historical facts.

How the Giostra Works

A parade of actors wearing Medieval costumes, finely realized by the town people, introduces the Gonfalone (Medieval banner) winding through the central streets, followed by musicians and flag throwers.
Each of the four Contrade takes part in the pageant with its own Dama dell’Anello (Lady of the Ring), Prior, damsels,  couples of dames and knights, pages, and flag bearers.
According to tradition, important figures of the Corteo Comunale , the Dama del Gonfalone and the Podestà, attend the procession.

La Domenica dello Anello

The Corsa dell’Anello recalls another historically proven custom: the Historical Archive of Magliano Sabina preserves two documents dating back to 1558 A.D. demonstrating the use of horse shoeing related to the Pallio (word of Latin etymology indicating a drape, sometimes awarded to the winner of the traditional race that later took the same name) and the Domenica dello Anello.

These days the four Contrade still contend each other the Gonfalone,  lining up their most valiant knights in a singular horse race: while galloping “lance in rest” each knight ought to repeatedly catch a small hanging ring with a spear in order to be proclaimed winner.

The program  of the Magliano Sabina Giostra del Gonfalone 2017 will be available soon