Massa Marittima

One of the best preserved medieval villages in Italy stands on an isolated hill and encloses within its walls buildings and narrow streets that emerge from the beautiful central square in front of Saint Cerbonius Cathedral and the main buildings of the Medieval commune era: Palazzo del Podestà, Palazzo del Comune, Loggia del Mercato and Palazzina della Zecca. Here during the summer months there are traditional events in the main square, including opera and the Balestro del Girifalco, an ancient contest between the crossbowmen of the Massa Marittima neighbourhoods, preceded by a traditional parade and flag throwers.