Middle Ages in a castle in Buti province of Pisa

Every year in May, Buti takes a leap into the Middle Ages with a festival that last year reached its seventh edition.

This festival is held at Castel Tonini, which is the fortification that dominates and protects the ancient village of Buti, a small town in the province of Pisa, Tuscany. The ancient village still maintains many streets and buildings that bring back the ancient medieval atmosphere. It is a small village that is very interesting to visit.

Unfortunately, the castle is increasingly heading for ruin, although the municipality is trying by all means to preserve this heritage, but the prohibitive cost (we are talking about 3 million euro) for renovation is currently preventing any intervention.

During these two days, usually a Saturday and a Sunday in May, this village is transformed and in every alley, small square and in some buildings the medieval atmosphere is revived with themed markets, singers, falconers and various shows. The markets offer weapons, musical instruments and period costumes with various accessories.

The various picturesque stalls are staffed by people in costume and in some of them ancient crafts are illustrated. There is no shortage of falconers with extraordinary trained hawks who put on a truly unique show.

In the narrow streets and squares, street artists, jesters and masked characters enliven the days of the festival with their games, but it is on Saturday evening that the atmosphere takes on a unique charm with fire games.

There are taverns that offer typical medieval dishes and special performances of dances and games, and warriors with breastplates and helmets face each other with swords and give combat demonstrations.

It is a festival very suitable for families with children who will appreciate both the costumes and the settings, but above all the games. Shows by jugglers and jesters, stilt-walkers and medieval dances will enliven these two very special and unmissable days.