Medieval Festivals in Italy: Offagna

One of the best medieval festivals in Italy is held in the striking village of Offagna in Le Marche. Jousting games, falconry, crafts and shows will fill with magic a midsummer night.

Offagna is a tiny hill town build around a very well preserved fortress. The castle, in strategic position, dominates the plain below giving the visitor a breathtaking view and a breezy, refreshing break in a summer evening.

Every year at the end of July Offagna comes alive with its medieval festival, a week long event that we came to appreciate for its varied and rich program.

One of our favorite is the falconry show, held at dusk at the top square of the castle: is a moment surrounded by a magic atmosphere.

After this quiet beginning the performances and shows come one after the other in every corner of the village and castle.

In the square you might find jousting knights, in the church a musical concert, the stairs will become an open air puppet theater while drummers and flag jugglers parade in the streets.

The market will keep you busy for hours with swords, hand woven shawls, jewelry, arts and crafts.

The taverns will offer the visitors local food specialty that I bet didn’t change much from medieval times.

The kids will love this feeling of magic and enchantment that surrounds the place and the adults will find enough excitement to make them wanting to go back year after year.

At the entrance don’t forget to buy one or two “cresciolo”: they are coins you can use to pay in the taverns or keep as a souvenir of a magic midsummer night.