Orvieto Historical parades – Orvieto

May 31st and June 2nd, 2024. Historical re-enactment with 500 re-enactors in costume

On May 31st and June 2nd, 2024, two historical parades take place in Orvieto to celebrate Corpus Domini.

The Ladies Parade on Friday evening opens the celebrations for Corpus Domini and remembers when the noble families and ladies were arriving in the city to participate in religious and recreational events organized for them by the Podestà.
The procession is made up of about 100 ladies parading until the Cathedral of Orvieto accompanied by flag-wavers, jugglers and musicians. It ends with a show and fireworks.

On Sunday morning, over 500 reenactors disguised in medieval costumes adorned with gold and silver embroidery, leather shoes, and brightly coloured banners parade through the streets and squares of the historic center of Orvieto until Piazza del Duomo.

This procession is made up entirely of male characters because, when the event was first set up, only the city authorities could participate and, in the Middle Ages, these roles could only be filled by men.

The 500 reenactors of Orvieto Historical Parades are divided into groups according to their hierarchical classes:
– the podestà with the knights,
– the standard-bearers and the militias,
– the noble families of the neighboring lands with their banners,
– and the 4 districts of Orvieto with their representatives and their insignia (Olmo, Serancia, Corsica and Santa Maria della Stella),
– but also the Mayor, chancellors, trumpeters, flag-wavers, footmen, drums..

The historical processions date back to 1339, when for the first time the Reliquary of Holy Corporal of Bolsena was carried in procession. Since 1951, Orvieto Historical Parade has joined the religious procession for the feast of Corpus Domini, while the Ladies Parade has only become an integral part of the historical tradition since 1993.

To be updated, see the website>>> and the facebook page>>>

WILL YOU GO TO ORVIETO?
See on ItalybyEvents a selection of further events and places to visit in Umbria>>>
And enjoy the traditional food of Umbria>>> and its wines>>>

(Credits photo: Orvieto Historical parade)