The History of the Saracen Joust in Arezzo
Often held in Arezzo between the sixteenth century and the end of the seventeenth century (when memorable Baroque jousts were organized), the tournament played important social roles within the urban community throughout the early modern period. The joust was held both on the occasion of visits by prominent figures (rulers, princes) and to commemorate particular civil events (carnival, weddings).
The Saracen Joust – which since the early seventeenth century has been a distinctive feature of Arezzo – declined during the eighteenth century until it disappeared completely, at least in its more “noble” form. After a lively popular revival between the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, a further disappearance after 1810, and a brief appearance in 1904 following the medieval revival fostered by the Romantic movement, the joust was permanently restored in 1931 as a historical reenactment set in the fourteenth century, quickly also acquiring a genuine competitive character.
When the Saracen Joust takes place in Arezzo
The event takes place every year in Arezzo on the penultimate Saturday of June at night (Joust of San Donato, patron saint of the city) and the first Sunday of September in the afternoon (September Joust). The protagonists are the four ancient districts of the city: Porta Crucifera (green and red colors), Porta del Foro (yellow and crimson colors), Porta Sant’Andrea (white and green colors), and Porta del Borgo, today Porta Santo Spirito (yellow and light blue colors).
The Saracen Joust is organized by the Municipality of Arezzo through a specific Institution, but in the governing body (board of directors), chaired by the Mayor, the rectors of the Districts are also present. There is also a Consultative Commission in which, among others, other city institutions are represented (Province, Chamber of Commerce, Tourism Promotion Agency), as well as folk associations (Musicians Group, Flag-wavers Association).
The day of the joust opens in the morning with the reading of the proclamation by the Herald and continues with a colorful historical parade that lines up 350 participants in 14th-century costumes and 27 horses along the streets of the city; a highlight of the parade is the blessing of the armed men on the steps of the Cathedral by the Bishop of Arezzo.
Where and how the Saracen Joust takes place in Arezzo
The knightly tournament, which takes place in the precious setting of Piazza Grande under the orders of the Field Master, opens with the entrance into the square, to the sound of trumpets and drums, of the historic procession carrying the ancient banners of the city. Highlights of this phase – which is based on the “script” of direction outlined in 1961 by director Fulvio Tului – are the entrance of the highest authorities of the Joust (Magistracy, Jury, Rectors of the Districts), the performance of the Flag-wavers, the galloping entrance of the jousters, the lineup on the lists of the knights of noble houses, representing the ancient nobility of Arezzo, the reading by the Herald of the Challenge of Buratto (a poetic composition in three octaves dating back to the 17th century), the salute of crossbowmen and armed men with the cry “Arezzo”, the authorization from the Magistracy to joust, the performance of the Saracen Hymn – a work by composer Giuseppe Pietri (1886-1946) – by the Musicians Group.
Then the real competition begins: the jousters of the four “gates” – the true protagonists of the event – charge at a gallop, lance in hand, against the Saracen, an armored automaton representing a Saracen armed with a mace (“Buratto, King of the Indies”), according to the order of the jousts established by drawing lots the week before the joust during a costume ceremony in Piazza del Comune. Many unexpected events arise from the skill, courage, and luck of the eight jousters who take turns on the dirt track with a slight incline (“lists”), which cuts diagonally across Piazza Grande. The competition is won by the pair of knights who, by striking the Saracen’s shield (which carries variable scores between one and five), achieve the highest result; their District is awarded the coveted golden lance. In case of a tie between two or more Districts after the ordinary jousts (two rounds, one for each jouster), one or more playoff jousts are held to award the trophy. At the end, mortar shots are fired in honor of the winning District.
