Every year on the 12th of July - the day dedicated to San Paolino, the patron saint of Lucca - in Lucca takes place the Palio della balestra, a crossbow tournament among the three districts composing the city.

It is a very ancient event: at the beginning of the 14th century, Castruccio Castracani, who was then the Lord of Lucca, promoted the introduction of an award for the best crossbowmen, who defended Lucca from any assaults, and at the end of the same century a "palio" took place during the most important feasts.

Still today, the "Palio della balestra" follows the rules established in the ordo pro balistari, a document dating back to the 26th June 1443 and conserved in Lucca State Archives, the most ancient regulations for shooting and archery tournaments in Europe.

The procession of the historic cortège, recollecting the "Corteggio ufficiale della Repubblica di Lucca" (Official cortège of the Republic of Lucca) and structured in compliance with laws dating back to the 15th century and conserved in Lucca State Archives, opens the event.