Every year on April 30th, animated assisani gather in front of the Chiesa Nuova (“the New Church” – architecture of the early 17th-century!), just off Assisi’s main square, Piazza del Comune.
To the right of the church (said to be the legendary site of the home of San Francesco di Assisi), contemporary bronze statues of Pietro di Bernardone and Monna Pica (parents of San Francesco) – sculpted in 1984 – stand solemnly and seem to be viewing the scene:
Before long, one could hear the beating of drums announcing the start of the festivities all were awaiting: the presentation of the damigelle (“young damsels”). One would reign as Madonna Primavera (“Lady Spring”) during Calendimaggio, Assisi’s splendid early May medieval festival
Stately young damsels in medieval dress paraded slowly and solemnly into the piazza of Chiesa Nuova. The five damigelle of la Nobilissima Parte de Sopra (“the Most Noble Part of Upper Assisi”) entered first as last year, la Parte de Sopra lost Calendimaggio, ceding victory to la Magnifica Parte de Sotto (“the Magnificent Part of Lower Assisi”).
Sopra‘s color is blue and the blue flag stood behind the five damigelle of Sopra, dressed in white, with figures in medieval noble dress backing the damigelle:
Each damsel was introduced to the public, rising with a smile to receive their applause:
Assisi’s mayor was at the ceremony, too, in his red, white and green sash. Behind Mayor Walter Stoppini, noble figures of Sopra stood in front of the beloved blue flag of Sopra flanked by the three flags of the terzieri di Sopra (the three sections of Upper Assisi):
The presenation of the damigelle of la Magnifica Parte de Sotto followed – each dressed in red, their color:
The red flag of La Parte de Sotto rose behind them. Noble figures were behind the damsels, standing proudly in front of the three flags flanking that treasured flag of Sotto: the three flags of the terzieri (the three sections of that part of town).
Each lovely damigella of la Magnifica Parte de Sotto was individually presented, too.
…and what applause greeted every damigella (of each Parte) at her presentation:
:
….and photos captured the moment:
Lauding the young damsels, the Assisi mayor was joined by the President of the Ente Calendimaggio (the organization in charge of the festival):
……and thus the official “launch” to Calendimaggio, four days of medieval splendor in Assisi. May 6, 7, 8 and 9 in 2026: I would not be anywhere else on those days…
Do see this video ot the event.
Do enjoy one of my videos on Calendimaggio in Assisi
Click here for yet another of many Calendimaggio videos
For my many blog notes (with photos) of Calendidmaggio splendor, simply SEARCH “Calendimaggio” here
