The 40th Annual Chestnut Festival (Sagra delle Castagne) Schedule – 2007

Every year, during the first two weeks of October, Soriano nel Cimino hosts a festival that surrounds the chestnut harvest. This festival is done on a large scale, and attracts thousands of people from surrounding areas, including Rome. The two main events of the Sagra are the Palio and the Corteo Storico. Unfortunately, we don’t know which days these will be held until shortly before the festival. That said, the schedule for 2007 has been released, so here it is:

Date Time Where Event
Sept 29 10:00 AM Castle Guided tours of the castle
Sept 30 10:00 AM Castle Guided tours of the castle
Oct 5 7:00 PM Main Piazza Opening of the festival with blessing of the cavaliers and archers of the 4 contrade (districts): Rocca, San Giorgio, Papacqua and Trinita.
Oct 5 7:30 PM Throughout Town Opening of the 4 Taverns – Each Contrada hosts its own makeshift tavern that is open for meals during the festival, and features local dishes.
Oct 5 9:00 PM The four Taverns Each tavern has a table with people in full medieval dress taking part in dinner.
Oct 5 9:30 PM City Hall Courtyard Dance Concert
Oct 6 9:00 AM Soriano Outskirts Guided trip to the ‘Fosso del Mandrione’ Archeological site. Reservations Required from Pro Loco in Soriano
Oct 6 3:00 PM Main Piazza Antique Flea Market
Oct 6 3:00 PM Medieval Quarter Photo Exhibition ‘Soriano Through History’
Oct 6 6:30 PM Main Piazza Exhibition of the Swordsmen of Soriano from the Rocca district
Oct 6 7:30 PM Throughout Town Opening of the 4 Taverns
Oct 7 8:00 AM Throughout Town Flea Market until sunset
Oct 7 8:00 AM Castle Opening of Torture Chamber
Oct 7 8:30 AM Medieval Quarter Photo Exhibition ‘Soriano Through History’
Oct 7 10:00 AM Main Piazza Exhibition of the ‘Mini Swordsmen’ and ‘Mini Flag Group’ (young children in training)
Oct 7 3:00 PM Gianotti Field The Palio – Cavaliers and Archers of the four contrade compete for the glory of their Contrada.
Oct 7 ** Main Piazza After the Palio, there will be a ceremony to proclaim this year’s winner in Piazza.
Oct 7 9:00 PM Main Piazza Exhibition by Soriano’s Flag Group from the Trinita District
Oct 10 9:30 AM City Hall Courtyard Artisan Show, featuring products made with Chestnut wood.
Oct 11 6:30 PM City Hall Courtyard Performance by The Soriano Choir
Oct 13 9:00 AM Soriano Outskirts Guided trip to the ‘Fosso del Mandrione’ Archeological site. Reservations Required from Pro Loco in Soriano
Oct 13 3:00 PM Main Piazza Medieval Games
Oct 13 3:00 PM City Hall Courtyard Medieval Flea Market
Oct 13 3:00 PM Medieval Quarter Antique Flea Market
Oct 13 3:00 PM Medieval Quarter Photo Exhibition ‘Soriano Through History’
Oct 13 9:00 PM Main Piazza Reenactment of events from Soriano’s history, including the famous battle with Vignanello
Oct 14 8:00 AM Throughout Town Flea Market until sunset
Oct 14 8:00 AM City Hall Courtyard Medieval Flea Market
Oct 14 8:00 AM Medieval Quarter Antique Flea Market
Oct 14 9:00 AM Medieval Quarter Photo Exhibition ‘Soriano Through History’
Oct 14 10:30 AM Main Piazza Citizen Awards
Oct 14 3:00 PM Main Piazza Medieval Parade
Oct 20 10:00 AM Castle Tour the castle and sample many local food pioducts

Throughout the festival, the 4 taverns will open every evening, and will be giving away free roasted chestnuts to all.