The seventh Historical Reenactment of the End of the Siege of the French Army (10 July 1500), the fourth Palio delle Magistrature del Gioco del Ponte and the Palio degli Antichi Quartieri di Pisa, this year in its second edition, will take place on Saturday 11 July 2026 at the Parco delle Concette in Pisa.
 

The initiative is promoted by the Crossbowmen of Porta San Marco, with the support of the Municipality of Pisa and the participation of the Walls of Pisa, the Company of Arms “Rampant Lion” and the Standard Bearers and Musicians of Porta Pisana

The re-enactment on 10 July 1500 commemorates a pivotal date in the glorious history of the Second Pisan Republic (1494–1509), the day on which the French army, exasperated and defeated, lifted the siege it had laid on behalf of the Florentines beneath the walls of Pisa, stretching from Porta alle Piagge to Porta Calcesana.

The siege, which began on 29 June, witnessed acts of the utmost heroism by the men and women of Pisa as they stood up to one of the most feared and well-organised armies in Europe.
 

The French army was thus defeated by a city that appeared to be on its knees, and returned home in disgrace after having arrived beneath the walls of Pisa in a spirit of bravado, certain of a swift and easy victory.

PROGRAMME

• 9.30am: shooting range layout;
• 12:00 p.m.: the city authorities place a laurel wreath on the walls, with the presence of the City Banner, valets in historical costume, and an honor guard of crossbowmen and archers;
• 6.30pm-10.00pm: visits to the walls with narration of the most significant episodes of the siege days (29 June-10 July 1500);
• 9.00 pm: Ceremony of investiture of the 3 new crossbowmen with Gonfaloniere edict;
• 9.15pm: Trophy of the Ancient Neighborhoods of Pisa;
• 9:30 pm: Historical archery performance by the Archers of the Rocca di San Paolino di Ripafratta;
• 9.45pm: Dispute of the fourth Palio delle Magistrature, with the representatives of the Magistrature del Gioco del Ponte di Pisa;
• 10.15pm: Performance by the Archers of the Rocca di San Paolino di Ripafratta;
• 10:30 PM: Final shot by the Magistrates' Champions and awards ceremony.