Massa Marittima: The Grifalco Crossbow

In the small town of Massa Marittima one of the most typical and characteristic festivals of Tuscany is celebrated: the „grifalco“ crossbow. The name of Massa Marittima makes one think of a town on the sea, but that‘s totally incorrect. In fact, it lies at 387 metres above sea level at about 20 kilometres from the sea. In Roman times and certainly after the fall of the empire, the word Massa meant „mansi“, which is what we now call farms. The adjective Marittima instead is due to the nature of the territory which previously comprised unhealthy and inhospitable marshes, so much so that Massa was the nearest inhabited outpost to the sea until 1700. Over the centuries, however, to the name, Massa Marittima, which was connected the saying „Look at Massa and pass by“, was added the slogan, „The medieval jewel of Tuscany“. And it is precisely in the square of this jewel that the crossbow shooting tournament is held twice a year. This allowed tourists to admire a marvellous historical pageant comprising over 150 characters dressed in velvet medieval costumes; the match of the fourth Sunday in May is held in honour of St Bernardino (co-patron of Massa Marittima) while the one in August commemorates the
Constitution of 31st July, 1225.

strong>Ever since there was a free comune, the city has been divided into three zones (Cittanova, Cittavecchia and Borgo) and for each one of these, eight crossbowmen are ready to do battle.
With the help of a sailor boy, the crossbowman loads his weapon with an arrow and attempts to centre a target placed at a distance of 36 metres. The one who gets nearest is decreed the winner and receives a symbolic golden arrow for himself and a painted silk banner for his zone.

(Portions of this article first appeared in "Toscana & Chianti News")
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