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n collaboration with the annual Medieval Festival (Gubbio – 22-26 September 2021), the venerable town of Poppi (Umbria) is staging a historical re-enactment of the Battle of Campaldino at the Castle of Count Guidi on the 11th, 12th and 13th June 2021. The battle was fought on the 11th June 1289 between the Florentine Guelphs and their allies against the Ghibellines of Arezzo and Pisa. 24 year-old Dante Alighiere also fought in the battle on the side of the Guelphs. The Guelphs won after a particularly bloody conflict in which a calculated 1,700 Ghibellines were slaughtered. By contrast, the triumphant Guelph faction lost only 300 men. Dante refers to the battle, which established the leadership of Florence over the rival Tuscan towns, in several passages of his “Inferno” and “Purgatorio”.
The Festival has therefore been named “L'Inferno a Campaldino” though visitors need not fear. Only fake blood will be shed at the event, which also marks the inauguration of the new Poppi Museum, dedicated to the historic battle.
For those unfamiliar with the quirks of Italian medieval history, the Guelphs supported the papacy in the long political struggle for dominance against the Holy Roman Empire, the followers of which were known as the Ghibellines.
M.STENHOUSE
Info: Tel. +39.0575 5021 www.festivaldelmedievo.it
