Montecarlo Summer Evenings 2025

Event Schedule 

All events will take place outdoors in the beautiful setting of the Cloister of the Pellegrini Carmignani Institute, Via Roma 3 – Montecarlo (LU).

🕤 Shows start at 9:15 PM

🎟️ Free admission

🎺 Friday, August 1

🎶 Music in the Convent:

"Band Concert" – Performance by the G. Puccini Musical Ensemble of Montecarlo

🎷 Saturday, August 2

🎶 Music in the Convent:

"Clarinets vs Saxophones" – Concert by the Instrumentalists of the Puccini Philharmonic

🍷🎶 Sunday, August 3

🎷 Jazz & Wine Festival:

"Ensemble CLI" – With Carlo Alberto Niccolai, Leonardo Niccolai, Giuseppe “Beppe” Nannini, Lorenzo Fabbri, and Lorenzo Pucci

🎶 Virtuoso & Belcanto in Lucca: the heart of classical music beats in Tuscany 🎻

In the heart of enchanting Lucca, a city full of wonders, a magical curtain rises every summer: the Virtuoso & Belcanto Festival, where young talents, international masters, and music lovers gather to celebrate the great Italian musical tradition.

🎼 Masterclasses, concerts, cultural events, and top-level improvisations turn historic theatres, churches, and piazzas into places where music is not just heard… it’s felt.

Many concerts are free of charge. Full program here:

https://www.virtuosobelcanto.com

Waiting for "E lucevan le stelle"

Morning Concerts at Baluardo San Regolo, on August 1, 2, 3, 8, and 9, from 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM, where the audience will enjoy a selection of live performances featuring a repertoire that ranges from Puccini to Bach, Barraok, Barol, Bizet, Lehár, Mascagni, Mozart, and other great classical composers.

This is a preview of the main event "E lucevan le stelle...", which will take place on Sunday, August 10, with a rich and varied program.

San Lorenzo and Midsummer Concert in Pistoia

On Friday, August 8 at 9:30 PM, the beautiful Piazza del Duomo in Pistoia will host one of the most anticipated events of the summer: the traditional San Lorenzo and Ferragosto Concert, part of the Estate in Musica festival.

The evening will feature the Filarmonica Borgognoni, one of the most vibrant and beloved musical ensembles in the area, conducted by the ever-passionate Maestro Cini. More than thirty musicians will take the stage to lead the audience on a musical journey through iconic songs by Italian and international singer-songwriters, with a special focus on light music – the kind that makes us sing, remember, and feel, with simplicity and beauty.

📍 Free concert, Friday, August 8 – 9:30 PM – Piazza del Duomo, Pistoia

🎺 Filarmonica Borgognoni – Conductor: M° Cini

Lucca – “E lucevan le stelle”, August 10, 2025

On August 10, the night of San Lorenzo, music will take center stage in Lucca. Starting at 9:15 PM, the Lucca city walls will become a truly exceptional stage, hosting a series of small concerts, primarily classical music.

The bastions between San Paolino and the Baluardo della Libertà will feature musical performances, with dedicated spaces for musicians and seating available for the audience. The casermette (guardhouses) will be open, animated by costumed historical reenactors.

Additionally, Guinigi Tower and Torre delle Ore will be exceptionally open in the evening: visits can be made by purchasing a ticket on-site or booking through the Summae online platform.

Here are the scheduled performances along the walls:

🎺 Caffè delle Mura – The City of Lucca Wind Band will open the evening at 9:00 PM with a marching performance from Baluardo San Regolo to the Caffè delle Mura, followed by a repertoire of various musical pieces. Afterwards, Giandomenico Anellino, solo guitar, will perform a mix of Italian and international singer-songwriter classics.

🎷 Baluardo San Paolino – Presented by Circolo Jazz Lucca, featuring Ambrogio Pagani with blues and more.

🎶 Baluardo della Libertà – The Associazione Musicale Lucchese and the Boccherini Conservatory present a clarinet quartet performing famous pieces by Puccini, Bizet, Mascagni, Morricone, and others.

🪕 Baluardo San Regolo – Curated by FLAM. The Ensemble Timbralia will offer a program of ancient and traditional music, inspired by traveling musicians who spread melodies and rhythms across Italy and Europe for over a millennium. Then, Sagra Musicale Lucchese presents Antonio Dimasi and Francesco Gargano, guitar duo, with music by Piazzolla, Gismonti, Boccherini, and others.

🎼 Baluardo San Colombano – The Laboratorio Brunier Association will perform operatic arias by Puccini, Bizet, and others, with soprano Maria Bruno and pianist Petr Yanchuk. Following, Animando presents Stefano Teani (piano) and Agnese Manfredini (flute), with works by Puccini, Mozart, Bach, and more.

Free admission. A magical night of music and history, under the stars of Lucca.

On July 30 until August 3 the Effetto Venezia is back, the usual kermis has been enlivening the splendid district of Nuova Venezia (or more simply La Venezia) of Livorno since 1986. It is difficult to set out this “hotchpotch” of events that includes theatrical and musical performances of any type, with the guitti (strolling players) trying to draw in the passers-by, exhibitions of artists, some famous, other less, games and many other indoor and outdoor initiatives involving the whole eighteenth-century district (partially destroyed during the Second World War), with its typical canals, open to speedboats, and its “campielli”, the vaulted bridges and palaces, many of which are open to the public for the occasion.

There will be also many markets of antique and modern collectibles, many for charity purposes. It is really impossible to sum up the countless events scheduled. It is also impossible not to find something we like: theatre, street theatre, folklore, classical music, jazz, rock, markets of any type, tasting, sea contests, and fireworks which, the last night, will explode in the stunning setting of the Medicean Port…And if you are not interested in anything of all this, it will be a one-off show to walk and dive into the atmosphere of this little Venice of the Tyrrhenian Sea, which in August seems to celebrate its off-season Carnival….

Further information on

☞ www.effettovenezia.it

Open-air cinema in Monsummano in the Parc of Villa Renatico Martini, Via Gragnano 349, Monsummano Terme.

Begin at 9.30 pm

Programm in the picture

This year, open-air cinema returns to the Castello dell'Imperatore in Prato with reduced ticket prices of 3.5 euros for Italian and European films, while the cost for non-European films is 6.5 euros. Screenings start at 9:45 PM. There are 200 numbered seats available, and tickets can be purchased at the box office starting one hour before the film begins, but it is recommended to buy tickets online on the this website. The presale allows you to book and choose your seat.

Program - Movies in Italian in the pictures

June 2025

Open-air cinema in Pistoia at the Porta al Borgo arena, via delle Pentole 4. Begin at 9:30 PM, costs 6 euros (full price) or 5 euros (reduced price, for children aged 3 to 14 and adults over 65).

Program in the pictures. Movies in Italian.

The famous Antiques Fair of Arezzo is one of the most important and largest antique fairs in Italy, held every first Sunday of the month and the preceding Saturday.

Pictures and paintings, small jewels, ancient and modern furniture, carpets, clocks, silverware, toys, books and vintage prints, collection stamps, musical instruments, gramophones and radios: it is easy to be charmed and indulge in discovering one of the biggest and oldest Italian Antiques Fairs. 

In 1968 a famous antiquarian and collector of Arezzo, Ivan Bruschi, gave birth to this fair which still today fills with its curious bric-a-brac the old town centre, its streets, yards, Vasari Loggia and wonderful Piazza Grande, every first weekend of the month.

For two days the town changes into a multicolor scenery of treasures waiting to be discovered by tourists and collectors: over five hundreds exhibitors from all over Italy meet here with their furniture and objects of all periods and styles, while antiquarians and restorers have multiplied their business, opening their shops during the fair and showing their best items. Experts of antiques and modern antique collecting find here plenty of particular specializations, such as, for instance, scientific tools, Art-Nouveau stained glass windows, Art Deco furnishing.

First Sunday of the month: museums free entrance

It is a very important event involving all the State Museums with specials and free tickets access. Therefore, if you plan to visit Florence, Pisa, Lucca or any other Tuscan town our countless masterpieces without spending one Euro!

For instance in Florence you can visit: the Uffizi Gallery, Academy Museum, Pitti Palace and Boboli Gardens, Bargello Museum, Medici Chapels, and many other attractions. All of them free of charge!

List of  State Museums in Tuscany HERE. 

The 2025 edition of the "Medieval Dinner" will be held on 3rd August in the enchanted village of Castellina di Serravalle.

The convivial moment will begin at 8 pm, with many dishes taken from original recipes of the time, in a magical setting of games, duels and music ranging from the Middle Ages.

Reservation is required at

+39 3395478907 or +39 3386730591

🌿 Echoes of Nature – Concerts at Dawn and Dusk 🎶

A unique musical experience immersed in the beauty of the Tuscan landscape!

In the Municipality of Capannori, the much-anticipated festival “Echoes of Nature” returns, with free concerts at sunrise and sunset in charming outdoor locations where music and nature blend in perfect harmony. A chance to rediscover the land with open ears and heart, through music, readings, and local flavors.

📅 Highlights of the program:

✨ Nature that Inspires

🗓 Friday, July 18 – Concert at 5:45 AM

📍 Terrace in front of the Church of San Pietro in Marcigliano

🎹 Piano solo by Maurizio Mastrini + complimentary breakfast

💚 Nature that Heals

🗓 Sunday, July 27 – Aperitif at 7:00 PM, Concert at 8:30 PM

📍 Green area near the Church of Tofori

🎻 Chamber Orchestra of Florence, with readings and music inspired by nature

🌇 Music at Sunset

🗓 Tuesday, August 5 – Aperitif at 7:00 PM, Concert at 8:30 PM

📍 San Pietro in Marcigliano

🎶 Accordion and piano duo, with music by Gardel and Piazzolla

🌄 Nature Tells Its Story

🗓 Saturday, August 30 – Concert at 6:30 AM, breakfast at 8:00 AM

📍 Tofori, green area

🎼 Ensemble Oltremusica performs works by Vivaldi, Handel, Saint-Saëns

🎟 Free events with mandatory reservation!

Write to prenotazionimusicalia@gmail.com or use the QR code to access the online form.

Bring a blanket, a cushion… and let yourself be embraced by the echoes of nature. 🍃

FREE ENTRY TO ALL CONCERTS

Five summer evenings of jazz fusion, world music, and singer-songwriter styles – culminating in a grand finale at the end of September with an icon of Italian music. A female-driven musical journey full of original performances, open to all.

LUCCA JAZZ DONNA 2025

📍 Venue: Cloister of Santa Caterina at Real Collegio | Time: 9:15 PM | Admission: free

📅 Thursday, August 7

Feathers – project by Simona De Rosa (vocals), known for her vocal range and emotional depth, with Michal Ciesielski (piano), Aldo Capasso (bass), and Domenico De Marco (drums).

Brassense – brass octet (two trumpets, horn, trombone, tuba) with guitar and drums. An energetic journey from dixieland to funk and 1980s pop hits. Released by Alfa Music.

📅 Thursday, August 14

Matilde Gori & Weavers of Dreams – quintet led by trumpeter Matilde Gori, with original compositions blending contemporary European jazz, flutes, guitar, double bass, and drums.

Fil Rouge Project – L’île noire – a blend of jazz, chanson, and world music in Italian and French. Presented by Manuela Iori and Maria Teresa Leonetti with double bass and percussion.

📅 Thursday, August 21

Elena Paparusso Quintet – presenting Anatomy of the Sun (Parco della Musica Records): songwriter jazz with original lyrics; piano, guitar, double bass, and drums.

Simona Trentacoste Quintet – Lentamente – a melodic and intense project evoking the nostalgia of Italian songs; with saxophone, piano, double bass, and drums.

📅 Thursday, August 28

Serena Marchi 5tet – Voci che resistono al vento…e oltre – flute, vibraphone, guitar, double bass, and drums; improvisation and contemporary moods. Released by Emme Records.

Elisabetta Antonini Trio – Evolution – ambient, pop, jazz, and experimental sounds inspired by Fela Kuti, Sebastiao Salgado, Buzzati, and Bukowski; voice, piano, electronics.

📅 Sunday, September 28

Antonella Ruggiero – Concerto versatile – at the Church of San Francesco. The legendary voice of Vacanze Romane and Echi d’infinito in a new light that blends sacred music, fado, and Broadway.

Admission to this final concert requires a reservation.

ℹ️ Useful Info

All concerts begin at 9:15 PM and are free to attend.

📅 Saturday, June 7 – 6:00 PM

📍 Archbishop’s Hall – Lucca

Amor che ne la mente mi ragiona

Duo Martini Dominguez

Aurora Martini, voice

Alessandro Dominguez, guitar

📅 Friday, June 20 – 9:00 PM

📍 Cathedral of San Martino – Lucca

The First Jubilee of the New Millennium

Antonín Dvořák – Mass in D major Op. 86

Santa Cecilia Music Chapel of Lucca Cathedral

Organ: Niccolò Bartolini

Conductor: Luca Bacci

📅 Sunday, August 10 – 9:00 PM

📍 City Walls of Lucca

Walking Along the Walls

Antonio Dimasi, guitar

Francesco Gargano, guitar

📅 Saturday, September 20 – 9:00 PM

📍 Church of Sant’Alessandro – Lucca

Jubilee 1775: A Musical Journey between Lucca and Naples

Concert for soloists, choir and orchestra

Unpublished works by Pasquale Soffi and Fedele Fenaroli

Luigi Boccherini Chamber Orchestra

Celesti Armonie Choir

Conductor: Luca Bacci

📅 Sunday, October 5 – 6:00 PM

📍 Church of San Vito – Lucca (Encore)

The First Jubilee of the New Millennium

Santa Cecilia Music Chapel

Conductor: Luca Bacci

Organ: Niccolò Bartolini

📅 December (date to be defined)

📍 Teatro del Giglio – Lucca

L’Accademia – A Concert in the Style of Mozart’s Time

Final event of the series “The Musical Eighteenth Century in Lucca”

Organized by the Luigi Boccherini Study Center

📍 All events take place in Lucca.

🎟️ All events are free, but reservation is required via email:

prenotazioni@sagramusicalelucchese.com

Opera concerts in which at least 2 singers alternate among the most beautiful voices of the national opera scene accompanied on the piano. The most famous opera arias from the repertoire of Italian and international opera are scheduled, as well as the most famous classic Neapolitan songs.

90 minutes of live music with a break during which guests can enjoy a typical sweet of the city.

The concerts will take place every Wednesday from May to October 2024 in the Music Hall of the Grand Hotel Croce di Malta in Montecatini Terme in Via IV Novembre, 18 at 9.15 pm.

Tickets can be booked by calling +39 3518066988 or by sending an email to info@operaconcerto.it even on the day of the concert.

Further information is available on the website

www.thebestofopera.com.

Villa Reale di Marlia – Le Rinascenze, August 9–10, 2025

The art festival “Le Rinascenze” returns in its night edition, set among the enchanting gardens of Villa Reale di Marlia on San Lorenzo weekend.

From 6:00 PM to midnight on Saturday, August 9 and Sunday, August 10, the park will come alive with theatre, performances, art exhibitions, cultural talks, and much more.

Numerous artists will bring the gardens to life with shows and performances: dancers, painters, actors, photographers, improvisers, singers, sculptors, and jugglers, ready to amaze audiences of all ages.

As always, the performances will be rich and varied: theatre, choral concerts, classical and pop music, fire shows, bubble art, acrobatics, comedy, ethnic and oriental dances, plus the unmissable “luminous butterflies.”

For children: puppet shows, storytellers, magicians, and magic tricks.

The night will once again be lit by video-mapping shows, projecting geometry, color, and light to create an enchanting spectacle of luminous effects.

Also unmissable is the art salon, featuring cultural encounters including a special talk in collaboration with the Capannori Astronomical Observatory, perfect for stargazing on the Night of San Lorenzo.

✨ New for this year: an arts and crafts market will line the avenue leading from the entrance to Villa Reale.

📄 Full program available here>

Abetone Blueberry Festival

From Friday, August 8 to Monday, August 11, 2025, the town of Abetone will once again host the traditional Blueberry Festival in the area beneath Piazza Europa. A special occasion to celebrate one of the most iconic fruits of the mountain summer, with activities for all ages.

Starting in the late afternoon on Friday, August 8, visitors can enjoy the “Aperitillo” – a friendly and tasty aperitif moment for adults and children, featuring sweet and savory blueberry-based bites.

Friday 8 and Saturday 9 August will be dedicated to exploring the local area, with guided hikes through blueberry picking zones and visits to local producers involved in blueberry processing.

Throughout the festival, there will also be a market showcasing local agri-food and forest products, along with craft stalls featuring handmade goods created using natural materials from the surrounding woodlands.

Games, entertainment, and live music will fill the days with a festive, family-friendly atmosphere.

Saturday Night Spa

Saturday, August 9, 23, and 30 

from 7:00 PM to midnight

For an evening of pure relaxation, pamper yourself with a soothing bath under the stars in the thermal pool with rejuvenating whirlpools and

reinvigorate yourself with a steam bath in Europe's largest thermal cave at 34°C.

Includes:

Steam bath in natural thermal cave at 34°C (20 minutes)

Bathing under the stars in the 750 sqm thermal pool at 34°C with underwater whirlpools

Bathing in the Bioaquam thermal path at 34°C with rejuvenating whirlpools

Access to the Thermarium area

Access to the "Bioaquam Pavilion" the new covered and heated relaxation area of 310 m2

Lounge music

€35.00 by reservation

Bioaquam Café poolside open with à la carte menu

(payment upon consumption)

For more information, call 

+39 0572/9077992 or email terme@grottagiustispa.com

On Sunday 10 and 17 August the Etruscan town from dawn to sunset will suddenly take a trip back in time with the „Feast Day in Anno Domini 1398“.

On these two days, the medieval town of 1398 will be recreated in the historical centre with markets, craftsmen, musicians, jugglers, townsfolk and nobles. It‘s a great chance to plunge into the magical atmosphere of the Middle Ages in one of the most beautiful towns in Tuscany. On this occasion, the „Grosso Volterrano“, the coin used in the town during the Middle Ages, will be minted again and will be the only currency in circulation during „Feast Dayin Anno Domini 1398“. Craft products, food, wine and many other things can only be purchased with this coin which is available at the bureaux de change. Any unused coins can be later converted back into Euro at the Tourist Office. 

More info https://volterra1398.it/

The Sacred Belt of the Prato Cathedral is a thin strip of green fabric with gold brocades and a green tassel and band at the ends. As told in an ancient oriental apocryphal text after the Blessed Virgin's death St. Thomas was carried by angels to the mount of Olives; there he contemplated the Virgin while she was taken up into the Heaven, and received the gift of the belt in proof of the event. According to Prato medieval tradition the sacred belt was then entrusted to a priest and preserved by his descendants. After the first crusade, a Prato pilgrim of modest origins called Michele, fell in love with Maria, the daughter of an oriental priest and married her in secret, against her father's wish and received as dowry the "Sacred Belt" in a small basket made of rushes. After returning to Prato around 1141, Michele spoke to no one about the holy relic and only on his death bed (1172), he donated it to the provost of the nearby church of St. Stephen. The sacred Belt furthermore was considered the most valuable treasure of the entire city, so much so that its public display was established by the bylaws of Commune which still today has in custody a set of the keys required to take it out of the altar. Up to the end of 13th century the holy relic was kept close to the high altar but in 1346 it moved to the left of the main entrance of the ancient church and later Cathedral where in 1386-90  was built, on a project by Lorenzo di Filippo, the chapel that stores the holy relic. The chapel is decorated with frescoes of Stories of the Virgin and of the belt (1392-95), a series of amazing figurative unity painted by Agnolo Gaddi with a faultless technique and luminous colors. On the corner of the façade is the amazing pulpit by Donatello and Michelozzo which was finished in 1438 and created for the display of the Sacred Belt in order to show it to the congregation gathered in the Cathedral square. 

Currently, the Exhibition of the Girdle is held for Christmas, Easter, May 1st, August 15th, and in the most solemn manner on September 8th, coinciding with the ancient Fair and the Historical Procession at 6 PM.

Concert by "La Combriccola del Blasco" – Vasco Rossi Tribute Band

The concert will take place on Friday, August 15, 2025, at 9:30 PM at the Rocca di Castruccio in Serravalle Pistoiese, as part of the San Lodovico patronal celebrations.

Free admission.

Food & drink stands available in Piazza Vittoria.

The Palio of Siena is not a horse race. It is not a historical reenactment, nor a sporting competition in the modern sense. It is a dramatic representation of life itself, a concentration of raw, primal emotions: love and hate, joy and disappointment, madness, strategy, violence and luck. A world of its own, centuries old, that has resisted modern change and remains intact.

Twice a year – on July 2nd and August 16th – Siena transforms. Piazza del Campo is covered in tufo, flags wave from windows, and the contrade prepare like armies heading into battle. But here the battle is real, though ritualized, and the enemy is not symbolic. In Siena, hatred is very real. And no one is ashamed of it. The Palio is perhaps the only place where hatred is accepted – even dignified. Rivalries between districts are ancient and passed down from generation to generation. Every contradaiolo knows that their goal is not just to win, but to make sure their enemy loses. In today’s world of political correctness, this seems almost subversive.

The contrade are not just neighborhoods. They are tight-knit, deeply rooted communities that organize the social lives of their members: cultural events, after-school help, social assistance, volunteer groups. You're born into a contrada and remain in it for life. It’s not a choice. And within that bond, powerful relationships form – alliances, betrayals, and shared secrets.

Women, until recently, played a marginal role. Some contrade only gave them full participation rights after 2010. In the Palio’s historic parades, women walk in the back – after men and children. Siena’s traditions make no concessions. Inclusion is not proclaimed; it is negotiated, slowly and with difficulty.

In the Palio, everything has a price: jockeys are hired, alliances are bought, large sums are raised to hinder rival contrade. But unlike the hidden corruption of the outside world, here it’s all in the open. Deals are made under everyone's eyes, even those of the mayor or police. And no one is shocked – it’s part of the game.

What’s most surprising is the importance of luck. The horses, the true game-changers, are drawn by lottery. So is the starting order. It’s not about wealth or power – it’s about chance. And in Siena, luck is not a taboo word – it's celebrated.

Then, there’s the violence – not brutal or chaotic, but ritualized and honorable. Brawls between rival contradaioli – the so-called "fronteggiamenti" – are part of the myth. Everyone joins in: workers, doctors, students, professors. If someone loses a wedding ring during the fight, everything stops to find it – then resumes as before.

In the end, only victory matters. There’s no honor in second place. The loser gets the "purga", a sarcastic humiliation that fuels a burning desire for revenge.

The Palio of Siena is all of this: a celebration of identity, passion, and rivalry. A world frozen in time that forces us to confront the deepest parts of ourselves. And one that reminds us just how alive our ancestral instincts still are, despite the rules of the modern world.

It is possible to attend the Palio free of charge from inside the Piazza del Campo. We suggest you to reach the Piazza around at least 4.30 pm (unless you want to find a place at the columns, at the border of the track of tuff, which are usually occupied from the morning, especially those close to the Mossa – where the race starts - and Fonte Gaia – the fountain).
Inside of the square you can buy drinks to cool off, but there are no public toilets. We strongly suggest you to provide water and drinks and take at least a hat to protect yourself from the sun. For the large crowd that will reach the square and the heat, we do not recommend  to bring small children to attend the Palio in the Piazza del Campo.
There are also more convenient locations to see the Palio, with entrance fee. To purchase tickets for the tribune or balconies overlooking the square, try contacting the local Tourist Office.

The Palio of Siena is not a horse race. It is not a historical reenactment, nor a sporting competition in the modern sense. It is a dramatic representation of life itself, a concentration of raw, primal emotions: love and hate, joy and disappointment, madness, strategy, violence and luck. A world of its own, centuries old, that has resisted modern change and remains intact.

Twice a year – on July 2nd and August 16th – Siena transforms. Piazza del Campo is covered in tufo, flags wave from windows, and the contrade prepare like armies heading into battle. But here the battle is real, though ritualized, and the enemy is not symbolic. In Siena, hatred is very real. And no one is ashamed of it. The Palio is perhaps the only place where hatred is accepted – even dignified. Rivalries between districts are ancient and passed down from generation to generation. Every contradaiolo knows that their goal is not just to win, but to make sure their enemy loses. In today’s world of political correctness, this seems almost subversive.

The contrade are not just neighborhoods. They are tight-knit, deeply rooted communities that organize the social lives of their members: cultural events, after-school help, social assistance, volunteer groups. You're born into a contrada and remain in it for life. It’s not a choice. And within that bond, powerful relationships form – alliances, betrayals, and shared secrets.

Women, until recently, played a marginal role. Some contrade only gave them full participation rights after 2010. In the Palio’s historic parades, women walk in the back – after men and children. Siena’s traditions make no concessions. Inclusion is not proclaimed; it is negotiated, slowly and with difficulty.

In the Palio, everything has a price: jockeys are hired, alliances are bought, large sums are raised to hinder rival contrade. But unlike the hidden corruption of the outside world, here it’s all in the open. Deals are made under everyone's eyes, even those of the mayor or police. And no one is shocked – it’s part of the game.

What’s most surprising is the importance of luck. The horses, the true game-changers, are drawn by lottery. So is the starting order. It’s not about wealth or power – it’s about chance. And in Siena, luck is not a taboo word – it's celebrated.

Then, there’s the violence – not brutal or chaotic, but ritualized and honorable. Brawls between rival contradaioli – the so-called "fronteggiamenti" – are part of the myth. Everyone joins in: workers, doctors, students, professors. If someone loses a wedding ring during the fight, everything stops to find it – then resumes as before.

In the end, only victory matters. There’s no honor in second place. The loser gets the "purga", a sarcastic humiliation that fuels a burning desire for revenge.

The Palio of Siena is all of this: a celebration of identity, passion, and rivalry. A world frozen in time that forces us to confront the deepest parts of ourselves. And one that reminds us just how alive our ancestral instincts still are, despite the rules of the modern world.

This wonderful Mountain Garden hosts botanical and forestry species typical of the Alto Appennino Pistoiese region: coloured mountain flowers, carnivore and medicinal plants, majestic trees, to be admired accompanied by the gentle murmuring of the Sestaione stream.

Due to the low temperatures and specific micro-climate of the area, this Botanical Garden also includes several Alpine species which have established, in this Apennine section, their southernmost growing limit; an example of this is the red fir (Picea abies), a relic of the last glaciation, which continues to reproduce spontaneously in the nearby Riserva di Campolino.

OPENING HOURS 2025

From 24 June to 7th September: from Tuesday to Sunday, 9.30 a.m.-12.30 p.m. and 3.00-6.00 p.m.

Guided visits at: 9.30, 10.30, 11.30 a.m.; 3.00, 4.00 and 5.00 p.m.

Closed in cas of bad weather

Second among the antique-dealers' market places of Tuscany for the number of its exhibitors and length of life, the Antique market of Lucca can boast of a solid tradition of quality and reliability thanks to professional antiquarians of high prestige who have always been an important presence in town. 

At the third weekend of each month (on Saturday and Sunday), from 8 am to 7 pm, Lucca opens its gates for a joyful event involving a large portion of the historical centre: from Piazza S. Martino, Piazza Antelminelli and Via Del Battistero - the historical antique dealers' street- ‚ to Piazza San Giusto, and Piazza S. Giovanni up to Piazza Bernardini. It is a gorgeous display of colorful stalls offering not only past vestiges of remarkable artistic value, but also traces of souvenirs impressed on a post-card, on a book, on a knick-knack or on an ornament. 

Furniture, clothes, fabrics, paintings, rare components of old instruments, lamps and chandeliers, old working tools, records..... a wide pattern of old or antique objects‚ patiently gathered and collected after explorations which

are getting more and more difficult. All these things speak to both the tourist and the lover, of a world, which has gone, but not willing to be forgotten yet.

Two unforgettable days around the most charming

streets of the town. It is Art facing Art, History meeting History. A really unique occasion to know Lucca better and taste the pleasure of peeping through the stalls in search of something beautiful to take home and - why not?- probably also making a good bargain! 

🏹 Palio di San Lodovico 2025: Three Days in the Heart of the Middle Ages

📍 Serravalle Pistoiese – Rocca di Castruccio

📅 August 17, 18, and 19, 2025

One of the most eagerly awaited events of the Tuscan summer returns: the Palio di San Lodovico, now in its 30th edition, ready to bring back the medieval atmosphere in the stunning setting of the Rocca di Castruccio.

An event that blends history, tradition, and a passion for archery, taking the audience on a fascinating journey through time, among ladies, knights, and ancient rivalries.

🗓️ Full Program:

🔸 August 17 – Palio dei Mercenari

A medieval archery competition open to all: a unique opportunity to try your hand at archery and dive into the spirit of the Middle Ages, among vibrant colors, challenges, and fair play.

🔸 August 18 – Palio dei Rioni

The most anticipated event: the battle for the “cencio”, the traditional banner, between the four districts of Serravalle, each supported by its own mercenary. The oldest medieval archery tournament in Tuscany remains a beloved classic, full of historic rivalries, cheering, and excitement.

🔸 August 19 – Historical Parade for San Lodovico

The event ends in style with the historic parade in honor of San Lodovico, the patron saint of Serravalle Pistoiese. A solemn and spectacular moment, featuring dozens of figures in period costumes parading through the streets of the town.

🎯 A journey into the past for the whole family, with shows, emotions, and reenactments that bring the medieval soul of the village back to life.

The Feast of St. Ludovico started in the fourteenth century as eternal gratitude to Louis of Anjou for having saved by a miracle, the garrison of soldiers who had defended properly the castle Serravalle and its populace by a long and exhausting siege of the armies of Lucca.

The Palio dei Rioni of St. Ludovico was begun in 1992 by a group of friends and fans of medieval history and archery. From this passion, also related to the miracle of St. Ludovico, derived the idea of recalling the historical events by challenging the four quarters of Serravalle: Serravalle, Castellina, Masotti, Ponte di Serravalle.

Archers of each district are wearing special clothes with different colours for each district: ones of Serravalle white and black, blue and red Masotti, Ponte di Serravalle green and red and green and brown ones of Castellina.
The race consists of 4 sessions of 3 arrows per archer to shoot each target with the own emblem depicted at a distance of 18 meters. The highest score will be the winner.

For the competition only historical arches are used. The rules require that each district has to have 5 archers, plus a reserve at the discretion of the districts themselves, one of which can be "bought" on the basis of the results of a special Palio, "The Palio of the Mercenary" which takes place on  August 17 at 9.30 pm, the evening before the Palio dei Rioni, which is traditionally held on August 18 at 9.30.

More Info: 

www.prolocoserravallepistoiese.it 

The Department of Tourism and Historical Reenactments of Serravalle Pistoiese is organizing a nighttime guided tour on August 19 at 11:00 PM, offering a unique vantage point to admire the grand fireworks show that concludes the San Lodovico celebrations.

The tour is free of charge, but reservation is required (maximum 15 participants).

For information and bookings:

📞 +39 0573 917308

📧 turismo@comune.serravalle-pistoiese.pt.it

The Cathedral of Siena contains numerous masterpieces from every epoch. A work that in many respects is exceptional, is the floor, "the most beautiful ... largest and most magnificent ... that ever was made" in the words of Giorgio Vasari, the fruit of a plan that took on concrete form through the centuries, from the XIV century up to the XVIII century. 

The techniques employed to transfer the ideas of the various artists onto the floor are marble intarsia and graffito: the procedure was initially quite simple but gradually attained a surprising degree of perfection: the first depictions were scratched onto slabs of white marble using a chisel and a drill, and the signs then filled with black stucco. This technique is known as "graffito". Then, coloured marble was employed in much the same manner as wood inlaying. This technique is called "marble intarsia".

The 56 intarsia of the floor are still largely in its original condition. As these artworks are quite sensitive, the entire floor is shown only a few weeks a year. Otherwise, the ground is covered and only a few works are visible for the many tourists that visit the Cathedral of Siena. 

Floor uncovering period in 2025: June 27th - July 31st; August 18th - October 15th.

The Festival is devoted to classical music and opera fans, its main purpose is to highlight the town’s musical  tradition, especially the great operas. 

This  season’s program, from April to October, presents 19 events, set in the most attractive thermal building of  Montecatini Terme, the Terme Tettuccio, which welcomes everybody as in a warm hug and where you can still hear the musical echo of the great composers  who have made Italian classic music famous all over the world.

Torre del Lago and its ‘genius loci’, Giacomo Puccini that today and since that distant 1891, when the musician moved there, are the perfect representation of how a place can merge with the soul and spirit of those who have lived there, in the corner of Tuscany, which the musician defined as “Eden” and from which he could not break away for a long period of time, so as not to suffer from strong “torrelaghite" (strongly homesick), is where Puccini lived and composed. Life was marked by the silence of the charming landscape and the sound vibrations of the lake that allowed him to cultivate his passions, music, hunting, painting and friends. Puccini and his music permeate Torre del Lago, Viareggio and all of Versilia, which every year in summer celebrate their ‘genius’, who lived there for thirty years. A celebration of music, of his music, which has, as if a frame, the same atmosphere, colors and fragrances that seduced the musician. A few steps from his home, now converted into a museum full of documents and memorabilia, is the outdoor Gran Teatro entitled to the master, and that, since 1930 has been host the Festival Puccini. 

Here is the complete calendar of the Puccini Festival 2025:

TOSCA

📅 July 18 (Premiere)

📅 August 1

📅 August 9

📅 August 29

LA BOHÈME

📅 July 19

📅 July 26

📅 August 7

TURANDOT

📅 July 25

📅 August 2

📅 August 14

📅 August 22

📅 September 5

MADAMA BUTTERFLY

📅 August 8

📅 August 23

MANON LESCAUT

📅 August 30

📅 September 6

🌟 SPECIAL EVENTS

Morricone Story

📅 July 24

A tribute concert conducted by Marcello Rota, featuring soprano Susanna Rigacci and trumpeter Nello Salza.

Grand Opera Gala

📅 August 13

Conducted by Michelangelo Mazza, featuring Anna Netrebko, Martin Mühle, and Jérôme Boutilier.

Estasi ed Agonia

📅 July 31

A new and original opera, composed, directed, and performed by José Cura.

📍 All performances begin at 9:15 PM

🎟️ Tickets available on the official Puccini Festival website

A unique opportunity to enjoy world-class opera under the stars, in the very place where Puccini lived and composed some of his greatest works.

Purchase tickets per email: ticketoffice@puccinifestival.it

or on the official website: https://www.puccinifestival.it/en/ticket-purchase/

Discover the Forest Botanical Garden of Abetone with the Carabinieri for Biodiversity

Experience nature authentically, learning to understand and respect it: this is the spirit of the initiative organized by the Carabinieri Biodiversity Department of Pistoia. On Wednesday, August 20, a unique experience awaits you in the Biogenetic Nature Reserve of Abetone, exploring the Forest Botanical Garden.

This extraordinary natural garden, nestled in the heart of the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines, is home to 250 botanical and forest species. A true green treasure that tells the story of our mountain's biodiversity, perfect for those who love walking in nature and want to deepen their naturalistic knowledge.

Guided by the expert staff of the Carabinieri Forest Department, specialized in environmental education, you will discover not only rare plants and characteristic environments but also the importance of environmental protection and nature conservation.

Excursion Program

Meeting point: Wednesday, August 20 at 9:00 AM at Via Brennero 251, Abetone

Duration: until 2:00 PM

Route: about 10 km with a 300-meter elevation gain

What to bring

Hiking boots

Suitable clothing for walking in a natural environment

Packed lunch

Cost

Free excursion | €4 for Botanical Garden entry

Information and reservations

Carabinieri Biodiversity Department of PistoiaTel: +39 0573 23103 (Mon-Fri 8 AM–4 PM | Sat 8 AM–2 PM)Email: repbiopistoia@gmail.com

"Without threads", the Pinocchio Festival starts

From Friday 22 to Sunday 24 August in Collodi there is "Senza Fili Pinocchio Street Festival", lots of performances of music, theater and circus art in the hamlet of the most famous puppet in the world. The events take place in the Historic Garden of Villa Garzoni, in the Pinocchio Parc, and in the small squares of the hamlet in Collodi. The shows begin at 9pm. Admission with free offer.

Complete Programm: ☞ http://www.senza-fili.it

This traditional celebration in honor of St. Bartholomew dates back to the 15th century when on the day of the patron saint of children, was custom to anoint the foreheads of children to protect them from the snares of spirits. Even today in the church of S. Bartolomeo in Pistoia, on August 24, liturgical celebrations and blessings are held throughout the day: children and adults are "anointed" by priests who mark their foreheads with blessed oil by saying an ancient prayer to invoke the protection of the saint. 

The origins of this feast are lost in the age-old memory of crucial moments in infant mortality and the human condition in general, exposed to the risks of numerous epidemics.

St. Bartholomew is also the patron saint of the sick in the Christian world, and a protective function is generally attributed to the anointing, which is apparent from the formulation of the wording: "Through the intercession of Saint Bartholomew the Apostle, the Lord will free you from all evil.”

By extension, in the common language of the people of Pistoia, overly lively children who are at risk of ending up "peeled" like the saint, are called “sambartolomei,”.

Stalls of toys and sweets are set up in the square in front of the church and in the surrounding streets. A typical specialty of this festival is a rosary-shaped crown made of roundish shortcrust pastry sweets decorated with chocolates and candied almonds, which is placed around the neck of the children, all children, including the “sambartolomei."

24th EDITION

ROCCA DI CASTRUCCIO - SERRAVALLE PISTOIESE

From August 24 to 27, 2025, at the Rocca di Castruccio in the enchanting medieval village of Serravalle Pistoiese, the annual Serravalle Jazz festival returns for its 24th edition. Four days of concerts featuring the biggest names in Italian and international jazz, alongside artist talks and book presentations, enrich the festival as they take place in two other locations in Serravalle Pistoiese: the former Oratory of the Assumption and the Barbarossa Tower. 

Tickets for the concerts at the Rocca di Castruccio (€5) and passes for all four evenings (€12) can be purchased at the Box Office of the Teatro Manzoni in Pistoia, at the Town Hall Office in Serravalle Pistoiese, on the website boxol.it, or directly at the Rocca di Castruccio on the evening of the event from 8:00 PM.

Complete Programm here:

https://www.serravallejazz.it/

🌙 White Night in Lucca: Magic Under the Stars on August 30

📍 Historic center of Lucca

🎉 Free admission

On Saturday, August 30, Lucca lights up with magic: the White Night returns, one of the most eagerly awaited events of the Tuscan summer, and the historic center will transform into a large open-air stage where culture, music, art, and entertainment come together to offer emotions for all ages.

✨ A rich program for every taste

From the first light of sunset until late at night, the city comes alive with an unmissable schedule of events:

Museums open at night, to discover Lucca’s hidden treasures in a new and suggestive light.

Guided tours, dance performances, and inclusive theatrical shows in the city's most beautiful squares.

Live music in the venues, opera concerts, street performances, and plenty of fun for everyone.

“Miwa e i suoi Componenti” Street Band, a cartoon cover band that will have both kids and adults dancing through the city streets.

Activities for children and families, games, entertainment, and attractions in Piazza Guidiccioni starting at 6:00 PM.

Note in Rosa in Piazza Cittadella, a unique concert featuring an artist performing suspended three meters above the ground.

And of course, restaurants and shops will stay open all evening, allowing visitors to fully enjoy the city with shopping, tastings, and dinners under the stars.

🎆 The midnight main event

The most anticipated moment? The drone show in Piazzale Arrigoni, right behind the Cathedral of San Martino, in the heart of the historic center.

Starting at midnight, 100 luminous drones – thanks to the artistic direction of Drone Show Italy – will draw iconic images of the city of Lucca in the sky, accompanied by an emotional musical soundtrack. A breathtaking visual experience, free and open to everyone, that promises to amaze both young and old.

📚 New for 2025: collaboration with Immagina Festival

This year, the White Night also welcomes a new collaboration with the Immagina Festival, which will offer a book exhibition and various activities inside the evocative setting of the former Cavallerizza. A perfect opportunity for book lovers, as well as for those seeking spaces for reflection and creativity.

Arti e Mestieri is an arts and crafts market in the historic center of Lucca, with a big number of exhibitors that meet every last weekend of the month in Piazza San Giusto, Piazza Cittadella and Piazza XX Settembre with many traditional and original products from Tuscany.

At Arti e Mestieri there are ceramists, painters, sculptors, leather, glass and papier-mâché artisans, weavers, jewelers, cabinet makers, seamstresses and embroiderers, knitting and crochet experts. The artisans-artists offer their exclusive products in a colorful market: bijoux in silver, ceramic and crochet, natural products for body care, fountain pens worked on the lathe, bags, belts and leather bracelets, painted stones, scented lavender, splendid paintings and sculptures.