Medieval Festival 2026

From 23 to 27 September 2026, Gubbio will host the 12th edition of the Medieval Festival, Italy’s most important event dedicated to medieval history. The theme chosen for this edition is “The Time of Francis”, a tribute to St Francis of Assisi on the 800th anniversary of his death, through a programme that weaves together history, spirituality and highly topical reflections.

The subtitle “Homo homini lupus”, inspired by Plautus’s famous phrase as echoed by Thomas Hobbes, invites reflection on the major themes of conflict, fear of the other, coexistence and peace. In this context, the figure of St Francis becomes a symbol of dialogue, brotherhood and reconciliation, just as recounted in the famous episode of his encounter with the Wolf of Gubbio, transformed from a threat into a companion of peace.

For five days, the Umbrian city becomes a vast cultural hub, hosting over a hundred participants, including medievalists, art historians, philosophers, writers, architects, journalists and popularisers from Italy and across Europe. The traditional history lectures will take the audience on a journey through the Middle Ages, from the fall of the Roman Empire to the discovery of the Americas, recounting in accessible language an era that remains rich in lessons even today.

Alongside the lectures, the festival offers a packed programme of events: exhibitions, historical re-enactments, performances, medieval markets, the Medieval Book Fair, the ‘Serate d’Autore’ literary evenings, ‘Scriptoria’, dedicated to the art of illumination and calligraphy, educational workshops, in-depth explorations of the Middle Ages in contemporary culture through ‘Medievalismi’, and the ‘University of Re-enactors’, a meeting point for historical groups from all over Italy.

The Medieval Festival offers a unique opportunity to experience Gubbio through its extraordinary historical heritage, rediscovering the Middle Ages not as a distant era, but as a lens through which to understand the present. An event that attracts thousands of enthusiasts, scholars and curious visitors every year, confirming Gubbio’s status as one of Italy’s leading centres for popularising history.