Folklore – joust of the saracen

A traditional celebration in Sarteano for centuries, the Joust of the Saracen is held on 15 August in Piazza Domenico Bargagli and is a horse-riding tournament inspired by the battle of the knights against the Arabic marauder (Saracen), who terrorised the Christian population for centuries. During the event, the “enemy” is symbolised by a wooden bust mounted onto a rotating support. The knights, representing by the five districts of Sarteano, gallop towards the statue and try to spear a ring on the Saracen’s shield with their lances.