Photograph by Massimo Vernacchio Fotomaxver,
taken from the website https://www.comitatocittadinodipistoia.it/

If you’re looking to experience an authentic and thrilling piece of Tuscan tradition, plan your visit to Pistoia for July 25th. Every year on this date, the city celebrates the feast of its patron saint, St. James (San Jacopo), with the spectacular Giostra dell’Orso — the “Joust of the Bear.”

This exciting event is a modern revival of an ancient “palio race” that has been a Pistoia tradition since the 13th century.
So important was this competition that, over the centuries, it was only ever halted for exceptional events like wars, epidemics, or political turmoil.

The day begins with a truly mesmerizing historical procession. Around 300 participants, dressed in magnificent medieval costumes, parade through the city’s winding streets, with their vibrant banners and flags leading the way to the main square, Piazza del Duomo. This colorful spectacle includes representatives from the city’s ancient guilds and its four historic districts, each with its own captain, knight, and trumpeter.

The main event sees twelve knights, three from each of Pistoia’s four districts, enter the square. The districts, named after the city’s old gates, are proudly represented by a Lion, a Stag, a Dragon, and a Griffin.

Announced with a solemn roll of drums and a trumpet fanfare, the twelve knights take their place under the arches of the Palazzo Comunale. The rules of the tournament are read aloud by a herald, and then the joust begins! Two knights at a time, lances lowered, thunder along the track laid out around the perimeter of the square. Their target? The stylized figures of two bears, which they must strike with precision to earn points.

When the dust settles, the winning district is proclaimed, but there’s also a prestigious individual prize. The knight who achieves the highest score is honored with the title of Cavalier speron d’oro di Pistoia e contado, the “Golden Spur Knight of Pistoia and its countryside.”

The Giostra dell’Orso is more than just a contest; it’s a vibrant celebration of history, community, and tradition. It’s an unforgettable opportunity to step back in time and witness the heart of Pistoia’s cultural identity.