If you are near Montone around mid-August, it is worth checking out if it coincides with one of the city’s great events of the year, Donazione delle Santa Spinna.

The festival – lasting eight days – presents a medieval arcade with archery, plays, flag throwing and a huge parade with more than 200 people dressed in beautiful medieval costumes. Everything set up around an indigenous struggle between the three neighborhoods of the old towns; Porta del Borgo Vecchio, Porta del Verziere and Porta del Monte.
Throughout the week, the three neighborhoods battle against each other in different more or less understandable disciplines, and the results actually seems to be more important than all the football matches in the Italian League (!)

And while not all disciplines and the manner in which grades are assigned are easily understood, they are all worth experiencing:
The impressive flag throwing where up to 8 men throw big, beautiful flags high up in the air – switching flags along the way (obviously also by throwing) and, in general, making flag-throwing into a discipline worthy of the Olympic Games.
Then there is archery with old arches, where younger and older men in costumes, shoot at targets. There also are acts that make fun of the districts – and where the story of Carlo Fortebracchio, is told..

Carlo Fortebraccio was man of arms and in 1473 he led the troops against the Turkish invasion. As a reward for his heroic efforts, he received from the Venetians a special gift: one of the thorns of the crown which Jesus wore when he was crucified. And he gave this precious relic to the city of Montone.
Ever since that day the holy thorn has been celebrated twice a year – every easter Monday and at the Santa Spinna.
Critical voices may point out that there are hundreds of thousands of these thorns around the world.That may be true – but in the end it is a matter of believe.

During Santa Spinna the three neighborhoods also offer town inhabitants and other visitors to have dinner in their special made taverns – a fun experience with delicious food. If you have never experienced one of these special italian “come and eat together” you must know that everyone – also tourists – are welcome in the taverns. All you need to know is that the ordering of food is a little bit different from normal restaurants. However, it is easy enough if you only know the following:
1) On arrival, you will be given a piece of paper with menu on. Here you most choose which dishes and drinks and how many of each you want.
2) Once the note is completed, you take it to the cash register, telling you what to do (orally, for some reason, not handing over the note you just filled out), telling how many people you are, what your name is. And then you pay.
3) If you have not found a table, now is a good time. And then it’s just to await one of the waiters shouting one’s name. When he or she knows where you are seated, food, wine and water will come to your table. Easy, delicious and a fun experience.

The winner of Santa Spinna is announced on Saturday – with great tension amongst the contestants.
Finally on Sunday afternoon everyone participates in the Corteo, a very long and impressive parade with more than 200 people in medieval costumes.