Assisi is even more than its beautiful sites, it is also a very lively city! The administration and citizens are always organising events and cultural exhibitions of all sorts. There is always a concert to attend, from the traditional Christmas Concert, held in the Basilica Superiore of Saint Francis and broadcasted all over Europe, to the Riverock Festival dedicated to the most innovative and emerging national and international artists. There are also several culinary events, including “Sagre” (traditional Italian food festivals ideal to experience the local delicacies), plays, and cultural events held in the beautiful city theatres such as the Metastasio or the Lyrick.
If you are visiting Assisi between the end of April and the beginning of May, you will find people in medieval garments flocking the streets performing dances and songs at the powerful and ancestral rhythm of tambourine bands. That is Calendimaggio, one of the oldest historical re-enactments in Umbria which will make you travel back to the late XIV Century, when the rivalry between the two opposing factions was at its peak. The Nobilissima Parte de Sopra, lead by the Nepis family, was siding with the Italian Ghibelline Forces supporting the Emperor. The Magnifica Parte de Sotto, under the aegis of the Fiume family, was fighting with the Guelph Army supporting the temporal power of the Pope.
But every year, during the “Kalends” (the cycle of the new moon) of May, hostilities were paused throughout the whole city to celebrate the arrival of Spring, the rebirth of nature and propitiate an abundant crop. Seven centuries later, Assisi can recreate that thrilling, vivacious, and unique experience.