MASSA MARITTIMA

This "Contest of the Falcon" is staged twice a year: on May 20th, if this is a holiday or otherwise on the next following holiday, on the second Sunday in August.
Twenty four bowmen partecipate into the contest, eight archers for each of the Terzieri making up Massa Marittima from the date of its constitution as free City. The contest is opened with a somewath austere and yet lively and colourful pageant, featuring over 150 partecipants, all dressed in faithfully reproduced medieval clothes.

The pageant goes through various streets before ending up in the splendid setting of the "Piazza del Duomo" which dates back to the 12th century. After the skillful display of the "Sbandieratori" who handle their flags with most elegant fantasy, the contest opens.
The arrows or "Verrette" are shot with old italian style cross-bows, accurate copies of their 15th century ancestors.
After having loaded his weapon with the "Girello" or "Martinetto", the marksman takes his place on the bench and aims at the target, called "Corniolo", which is placed 36 meters away.

The "Corniolo" ia a conical shaped piece of wood, 42 cm in heightm with a diameter of about 12 cm, and its smaller end fitted to a black painted disc of 15 cm in diameter. The whole assembly is attached in the center of the large "Girifalco" board.
The winner is the bowman whose arrow hits the target nearest to the center. He is rewarded with a symbolic golden arrow and his Terziere will receive the large painted silk banner.