The Festival of the Fortress in Ripafratta

Programme of events

SATURDAY 9th JUNE
“PACEM FECERUNT”, THE PEACE TREATY BETWEEN PISA AND LUCCA, 860 YEARS AGO

All afternoon: photographic exhibitions “Ripafratta yesterday and today” (at the square in front of the church), “The findings of the Castle”, “Palaces e villas of Ripafratta”, “Memories of local sport” (Villa Danielli Stefanini ex nursery).

Donations are welcome.

  • 2 p.m.: Stands opening: exhibitions of local products and brewery at Villa Danielli Stefanini. Opening of the photographic exhibitions and start of the following activities:
    >> from 2 p.m. until 5.30 p.m. every 30 mins: Visits to the medieval Bell Towerof Ripafratta
    >> from 2 p.m. until 7 p.m.: demonstration of archery techniques at Villa Danielli Stefanini, by ASD Arcieri della Rocca di San Paolino
  • 2 p.m.visit to the castle of Ripafratta
  • 2 p.m.: Start of the excursion “The forgotten Castle: discovering Castle Passerino”, meeting point: Piazza della Chiesa in Ripafratta, a cura di Eco-guide. Duration: circa 4h. Reservations are mandatory: write at festa@salviamolarocca.it
  • From 2 p.m. until 6 p.m.: river rafting in Serchio river, organised by Aguaraja ASD (€ 15 per person, € 10 for under 14) – also available in kayak sit on top, two-seats (€ 30 per person)
  • 3 p.m.visit to the castle of Ripafratta
  • 30 p.m.: “The Secrets of Ripafratta”: visit of the borgo, with stories and legends of the village
  • 4 p.m.visit to the castle of Ripafratta
  • From 6 p.m.re-enactment of the “Peace treaty of Ripafratta”(1158 a.C.) with medieval parade and official opening of the Festival
  • From 7.15 p.m.aperitif at Villa Danielli Stefanini
  • From 8 p.m.dinner with meals from local traditions, at Villa Danielli Stefanini
  • From 9 p.m. until 11 p.Visits to the medieval bell towerof Ripafratta, lighted by torches that will give an evocative atmosphere (visits every 30 mins).
  • 9 p.m.Night visit to the castle of Ripafratta, organised by Eco-guide. Meeting point at Villa Danielli Stefanini ex asilo. Reservations are mandatory: write at festa@salviamolarocca.it
  • 30 p.m.river rafting in Serchio by night, organised by Aguaraja ASD (€ 20, only over 14)
  • 30 p.m.Rock for the Rocca! Rock&Blues live concert at Villa Danielli Stefanini, with David "Mancio" Mancini and B.B.B. In partnership with Garage Radio, broadcasting live.

SUNDAY 10th JUNE 2018
THE FESTIVAL

Visits to the Castle of Ripafratta at: 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 (duration: one hour)
Visits to the medieval Bell Tower of Ripafratta: from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. every half an hour

All day: demonstration of Archery techniques, organised by ASD Arcieri della Rocca di San Paolino

All day: photographic exhibitions “Ripafratta yesterday and today” (at the square in front of the church), “The findings of the Castle”, “Palaces e villas of Ripafratta”, “Memories of local sport” (Villa Danielli Stefanini ex nursery).

Donations are welcome.

  • 9 a.m. Start of the following activities:
    >> Excursion “From the Castle of Vecchiano to the Castle of Ripafratta”; organised by CAI Pisa. Meeting point: Garibaldi square, Vecchiano, at 9 a.m., difficulty E, length 10 Km, difference in level of 300 m. Duration: 4 h. Trekking shoes are mandatory. Ticket: € 6.
    >> Excursion “Amongst Towers e Castles D’Oltreserchio, from the Castle of Ripafratta to the Castle of Nozzano”; organised by Piedi In Cammino. Meeting point: square in front of the church, Ripafratta. Duration: circa 5h. More info here. Reservations are mandatory: write at festa@salviamolarocca.it

>> Excursion “From San Giuliano to Ripafratta: hermitages, towers and fortresses”; organised by Legambiente Pisa. Meeting point: San Giuliano Terme train station (9 a.m.), or Pisa train station (8.40 a.m.), or Viareggio train station (8.10 a.m.). Duration: 7 h, difference in level: 600 m, difficulty: medium. Ticket: € 10 for adults, € 5 for under 25. Info and reservations: legambiente@legambientepisa.it
>> Bike ride from Pisa to Nozzano and Ripafratta; organised by FIAB Pisa in collaboration with the association La Voce del Serchio. Meeting point: Piazza dell’Arcivescovado, Pisa. Info at www.fiabpisa.it.

  • From 10 a.m.: info point opening, piazza della Chiesa, Ripafratta
  • From 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.river rafting in Serchioorganised by Aguaraja ASD (€ 15 per person, € 10 for under 14) – also available in kayak sit on top, two-seats (€ 30 per person)
  • 11 a.m.“Nature tells – In the wood of Ripafratta, discovering traces left from history about the flora and the fauna of the Pisan Hills”, for children from 7 until 12 years old accompanied by at least one adult. Organised by WWF Alta Toscana and WW Young
  • 30 a.m.: “The Secrets of Ripafratta”: visit of the borgo, with stories and legends of the village
  • From 12 p.m.lunch with meals from local traditions, at Villa Danielli Stefanini
  • 3 p.m.excursion “The defence system of Ripafratta”; organised by Piedi In Cammino. Meeting point: piazza della Chiesa, Ripafratta (3 p.m.). Duration: circa 3h. Reservations are mandatory: write at festa@salviamolarocca.it
  • 3 p.m.“Nature tells – In the wood of Ripafratta, discovering traces left from history about the flora and the fauna of the Pisan Hills”, for children from 7 until 12 years old accompanied by at least one adult. Organised by WWF Alta Toscana and WW Young
  • 3 p.m.visit “The canal and the Mill of the Medici Family” Meeting point: piazza della Chiesa, Ripafratta (3 p.m.)
  • 30 p.m.: “The Secrets of Ripafratta”: visit of the borgo, with stories and legends of the village
  • 5 p.m.visit “The canal and the Mill of the Medici Family” Meeting point: piazza della Chiesa, Ripafratta (5 p.m.)
  • 5 p.m.orienteering competition for children, organised by CAI sec. Pisa
  • 30 p.m.: “The Secrets of Ripafratta”: visit of the borgo, with stories and legends of the village
  • 6 p.m.Music concert of Filarmonica Sangiulianese Music Schoolat Villa Danielli Stefanini
  • 6 p.m.visit “Sunset from the Tower”, visit to the Centìno Tower to admire the outstanding landscape of Valdiserchio at sunset
  • 7:15 p.m.aperitif at Villa Danielli Stefanini
  • From 8 p.m.dinner with meals from local traditions, at Villa Danielli Stefanini
  • 9 p.m.night visit “Legends e mysteries of the village”
  • From 9 alle 11 p.m.Visits to the medieval bell towerof Ripafratta, lighted by torches that will give an evocative atmosphere (visits every 30 mins).
  • Ore 21Rock for the Rocca! Rock&Blues live concert at Villa Danielli Stefanini, with Groove Street e Cypre's trio. In partnership with Garage Radio, broadcasting live.

Useful info

How to get here

  • By train: Ripafratta train station is five minutes walking from where the event will be placed. Trains from Pisa and Lucca will stop at Ripafratta every half an hour. Train schedule can be viewed here
  • By bus: from Pisa e da Lucca you can take the line extraurbana E3 di CTT Nord - VaiBus. You can view the schedule here. You’ll have to get off to the bus stop in the square with the church.
  • By bike: We are right on the bike path Puccini, which connects Lucca to Pontasserchio-Vecchiano-Massaciuccoli.
  • By car: from Pisa o from Lucca take the SRT12 (ex-SS12, Statale dell'Abetone e del Brennero), which connects in order Lucca -Ripafratta-San Giuliano Terme-Pisa. Warning: the current SS12 (Strada Statale Abetone e Brennero) does not pass from Ripafratta. Make sure you follow the indications of SRT12.
  • From the motorway: Ripafratta is 13 km from the exit PisaNord of A11 Firenze-Mare and A12 Genova-Rosignano.

Things to know

All the initiatives, where not specified, will start from the info point in the church square in Ripafratta.

The visits to the Castle will follow a safe path but suitable clothing and shoes are still required.

Email festa@salviamolarocca.it for more info.

Need more info?