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The Quintana of Ascoli is mentioned into the Civic Statutes since 1377, nevertheless from archives source dated 13rd century; we learn in that period the St. Emidio's Day was already celebrated by religious rites and many plays.
The Quintana of Ascoli, after many dark years, has started to play on 1955th again. The Quintana takes place on the 1st August Sunday, during the St. Emidio's holidays.
The Quintana is played by 6 tilting horsemen, who symbolize the 6 quarters of the town (St. Emidio with the colours red-green; Piazzarola white-red; Porta Romana red-blue; Borgo Solestà yellow-blue; Porta Tufilla red-black; Porta Maggiore black-green).
During the afternoon of the first Sunday in August more than 1000 costume characters, representing the different social levels of the city quarters, parade along the city streets till reaching the Stadium (called "Squarcia"); then they play the "grida" of the judge.
After this introduction starts the real competition: the drawing horseman dashes off in pursuit of the saracens. During the following three matches each horseman must reach the target by nine attacks.
At the end of the competition the Magnifico Messere (judge), after reading the results, proclaims the name of the winning quarter.
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