The ancient and traditional festival to celebrate the awakening to nature

May is a festival held every year in Castiglione d’Orcia with the purpose of wishing a good season, good harvests and to celebrate love.

To do this, the so-called “maggiaioli,” singers and players, draw on ancient pagan propitiatory rites in honor of nature’s awakening. From the afternoon of April 30 to the morning of May 1, “the maggiolini” chant through the village and countryside ancient hymns addressed to the “capoccia,” the “massaia,” and the “beautiful girls for husbands,” wishing that “the foxes and martens un’accostino nell’aia,” receiving in return hospitality, wine and various offerings. In the following weeks they organize a lunch for the maggiai and their families and a snack open to all using the proceeds of the feast.