Palio della scure

On the first Sunday of June Gradisca d’Isonzo holds the Palio della Scure (scure means battle-axe) organized by the Jaufrè Rudel Academy of Medieval studies with the collaboration of the city. The idea came from an experimental archaeological study on the use of the Frankish and Scandinavian types of battle-axes carried out by the department of the Academy studying Medieval warfare.

The competition is not, strictly speaking, a historical re-enactment; it is more an attempt to popularize antique weapons. The Palio is regulated by precise rules and the contestants are a team from Strassoldo and one from Gradisca. The same tournament will be repeated in Strassoldo on the first Sunday of September.

The Palio della Scure consists of aiming at several targets placed anywhere from four to twelve metres away; the throws are carried out with both the small Frankish battle-axes and the large Danish battle-axes. The famous Tuscan crossbowmen form Massa Marittima near Grosseto, together with their colourful flag-wavers and drummers, participate to animate the event, re-enacting in Friuli the traditional tournament which takes place in Massa Marittima the last Sunday of May. The crossbows used for this festival are the large, powerful types. At the event there are also skilled fencers who fight in duels and strong bowmen who demonstrate their abilities.