The Giostra del Saracino is a historical commemoration dating to the XIV century that takes place twice a year in the Piazza Grande of Arezzo. The traditional joust is celebrated on the first Sunday of September, and a "minor" edition on the second last Saturday of June precedes it. It takes its origin from the training of soldiers who exercised with a machine while riding a horse. This machine symbolizes the enemy par excellence of the Christian paladin: the "Saracino", namely the Arab soldier.

Four couples of riders represent the four quarters of the city and they challenge each other galloping towards an armoured and armed machine that represents the "Saracino", trying to achieve the highest score possible by hitting it.
The machine can move and hit the chevalier back, which means two things: on one side, that the adversary never must be underestimated; on the other side, that Arezzo has given the Saracen enemy the chance to be a protagonist of the competition. The Saracen is called "Buratto Re delle Indie" and is armed with the "mazzafrusto" to hit the attacker.
The rules of this tournament were taken from those of a joust of 1678 and they maintain the suspense of the race until the end. In effect, a rider can be disqualified, lose his score or double it when he breaks his spear in one of his assaults to the machine.
The quarter that gets the victory wins the much yearned-for "Lancia d'Oro" that is forged every year and put up as a prize by the city. The day starts with the reading of an announcement.
An imposing historical commemoration, with about three-hundred participants, crosses the city and enters the Piazza Grande after receiving the blessing of the bishop in front of the Dome.
After the arrival of the major city authorities (Magistratura, Giuria and Rettori dei Quartieri), skilful flag flyers entertain the public with their exhibitions. Lastly, the tilters appear and enter the "lizza". The Araldo reads the text of the "Disfida del Saracino" and when the Magistratura gives the go-ahead, the riders can finally line up and start the competition.