Free to attend, paid admission for some activities
La Corte in Festa a Chiusi della Verna is an annual historical re-enactment held every third weekend of July, celebrating the donation of Mount La Verna to St Francis by Count Orlando Cattani. The event takes place in the medieval town of Chiusi della Verna, located along the Via di Francesco pilgrimage trail.
The event transports visitors back in time, immersing them in a medieval atmosphere with costumed performers, music, dances, and traditional foods.
The celebration begins on Saturday evening with an itinerant medieval dinner, where guests can sample delicious food and wine while wandering through various osterias.
On Sunday, a grand procession of over 100 participants in period attire makes its way through the town and up to the Sanctuary of La Verna. At the sanctuary, visitors can enjoy a performance by flag-wavers from Arezzo and witness the re-enactment of the meeting between Count Cattani and St. Francis, culminating in the symbolic donation of Mount La Verna.
The historical event that La Corte in Festa commemorates dates back to May 8, 1213, when St. Francis met Count Orlando Cattani at the castle of San Leo in Montefeltro.
Struck by St. Francis’ charm and humility, Count Cattani offered him the donation of Mount La Verna, a remote and wild place suitable for penance and solitary life. St. Francis accepted the gift, and the mountain became an important spiritual retreat for him and his followers.
La Corte in Festa has been organized by the local historical group Proloco for many years, keeping alive the traditions and stories of this ancient territory.
The event not only honors the historical significance of the donation but also showcases the rich cultural heritage of the region. Visitors can experience the medieval way of life through authentic costumes, music, dances, and traditional crafts.
