Soriano's mega-festival. The chestnut festival ( known as Sagra delle Castagne in Soriano ) is a two-week long celebration that includes open-air restaurants, medieval parades, a jousting and archery tournament, a great deal of entertainment, free roasted chestnuts all over, and much more. It attracts thousands of visitors from all over the world, and is considered among the best town festivals in the whole of Italy.

It is a truly one of a kind experience as the town completely decorates in medieval theme and an ongoing festive atmosphere for 2 full weeks.

The festival revolves around three major events:

1) The Battle with Vignanello
As the story goes, the Count of Vignanello coveted Soriano for its strategic position, and led a surprise attack in the middle of the night to take the town. An old lady that lived in the mountain above Soriano saw their approach and ran to warn the Sorianese of the attack. Soriano quickly mustered its forces and raced to meet the attack party below town. They encountered them at a small stream and slaughtered the attackers, successfully defending Soriano. They then took the Count to the castle and threw him off thetallest tower to his death.

To this day, the stream where the battle occured is now named 'The stream of the good encounter'. However, the people of Vignanello have named the same stream 'The stream of the BAD encounter'.

To this day, there is a great deal of rivalry between Soriano and Vignanello, all stemming from this battle.

During the festival, there is a vivid recreation series of events that led to the battle and the killing of the Count, complete with the little old lady running down the hill, the swordsmen slaughtering the Vignallo force, and the throwing of the Count off the tower.

2) The Palio
Soriano is divided into 4 districts. During the festival, each district is at virtual war with the other, leading up to a series of games that include jousting and archery. The winner of the tournament carries home the 'Palio' for their district until the following year in which they battle for it once again.

3) The Chestnut Harvest
The namesake of the festival, since it happens just after the chestnut harvest. After you have been to this festival, you will have eaten enough roasted chestnuts to last you until next year.

The Palio of 2007

Soriano's Flag Throwers ( Sbandieratori )

The Taverns