The Gastaldate of Interocrium, in Antrodoco ancient name meaning “among the mountains”, is a historical re-enactment recalling the magical medieval atmosphere of the episodes occurred in the village between 1228 and 1371. The event, celebrated from mid-June until September, includes the Procession of the Ladies, the Banquet of the Districts, the Night of the Drums, the Historical Parade, and the long-awaited tournament “Palio Madonna del Popolo”.
The Flag-wavers at the Castaldato Interocrino in Antrodoco – Facebook @castaldato
The Night of the Lady and the Archers opens the commemoration, followed by the Mass and presentation of the Archers, and then culminates with the election of the Lady of the Palio.
Castaldato Interocrino in Antrodoco
The event continues with the Night of the Drums and the Districts, medieval games for children, and the duels of the arm companies. Educational demonstrations for young and adults, dance shows, medieval handicraft exhibitions, juggling performances and the banquet of the districts will also take place. Follow, in the evening, the reading of an announcement in the vernacular, a concert by the medieval “Schola Cantorum” and the flag-wavers show.
The highlight of the Festival is the Palio Madonna del Popolo, preceded by the Historical Parade, where each district carries, in a static procession, the depictions of the most important facts, that had distinguished Antrodoco for almost one hundred years in the Middle Ages.
Castaldato Interocrino in Antrodoco – photo Facebook @castaldato
The Districts Lu Bagnu, San Terenziano, Rocca di Corno, Cona, Rocca di Fondi and Centro Storico are the protagonists of the most representative episodes. We will bring again to life the Peace of Anagni between the Emperor Frederick II and Pope Gregorio IX, or the arrival of Frederick II at the Antrodoco Castle, which he considered among the most important and strategic. We will revive the tensions with Pope Clement IV who, invited to the Castle, supported Re Carlo D’Angiò against Manfredi, and the wedding between Guglielmo Da Palarago and Alterigia, daughter of Gualtiero, who brought her husband the fiefdoms of Rocca San Silvestro and Scoppito as a dowry. We will also evoke the tax revolt by the inhabitants of Forcapretula, Rocca di Fondi, Piscignola and Torre Cifredi, and the one by the vassals of the brothers Berardo and Rainaldo De Duce, for the jurisdiction over the fiefs of the valley.
Furthermore, the intervention of Queen Giovanna I against the usurper of the Castle, Giuntarello da Poppleto, will be represented with a procession of armies and weapons. The re-enactment ends with the narration of the peace negotiations by the Queen herself, who decided to put an end to the struggles over the control of the Antrodoco Fortress and to assign a key role to local merchants.
The Church of Santa Maria Extra Moenia in Antrodoco
The historical procession will merge into the square in front of the Church Santa Maria Extra Moenia, the setting of the Palio and the award ceremony. The Castaldato Interocrino is concluded by the Wayfarer Supper and the Fire of the Rocchetta. Hundreds of participants will parade in the cortege in hand-made costumes, with sketches faithfully reproducing documents and paintings of the time: Ladies and Knights, Standard Bearers, Armies with weapons, means of transport, animals, courtiers, jesters, bridesmaids, and the People.