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Giostra Delle Contrade
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When:
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25 Apr 2008 (annual)
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Where:
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Tarquinina
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| Costs: |
Free
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Every April, the historical coastal centre of Tarquinia relives the knighting of three local nobles in 1452. The re-enactment involves knights on horses, banquets, dances and plenty of equestrian games.
In the early part of 1452, Emperor Federico III from Asburgo knighted Cornetani Sante, Alessandro Vitelleschi and Piergiovanni Paolo Sacchi during his visit to Italy. Today the town still recreates the celebrations with a Palio where the seven local Contrade (districts that complete Tarquinina) compete against each other.
The competition involves rings suspended on a statue, with the participating "knights" riding at great speed and attempting to remove the rings with their lances, scoring points for each one taken.
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