Cavalcata dell’Assunta 15th of August

The Cavalcata dell’Assunta of Fermo is the oldest reenactment in Italy.
It is consists of a historical parade, religious celebrations and tournaments related to the patronal feast of the Virgin Mary Assumption since 1182. The reenactment called Cavalcata is on the 14th August and includes a processional parade where all the main participants march on horseback by candlelight: for this reason it was also called Luminaria. This is testified in a miniated page of the Messale De Firmonibus (painted in 1436) to which the reenactment is inspired and reproduced in the gonfalon. The Cavalcata represented also a magnificent display of the power and prosperity of the State of Fermo. Now as then, the winner of the horse race wins the Palio dell’Assunta. In earlier days, the rivalry between the ten Contrade of Fermo revelled in the Hostarie (typical food) and in the historical games challenge. Before the Palio of 15 August, there is the Tratta dei Bàrberi, the horse drawing for the Contrade.