Archers

The Compagnia Arcieri dell'Oca was born in February 2003 thanks to the will of the Board of the Associazione Giochi Storici of Cagli, which saw in the transfer of the Palio dell'Oca from the city square to the Arena di Sant'Emidio the possibility of inserting new and more spectacular games into the context of the Palio (archers, knights, crossbowmen) and recreating a Renaissance challenge as faithfully as possible.

The company, in addition to participating in the Italian archery championship organized by F.IT.A.ST. (Italian Formation of Historical Archers), of which it is one of the founding companies, also sets up a costumed archery show, together with the group of crossbowmen, municipal drummers, and clarions, proposing battle scenes, group and individual shots, and the launching of incendiary arrows, in order to transport the spectators into an evocative atmosphere that fits perfectly with the history and appearance of the City of Cagli.

The national F.IT.A.ST. championship in which the Compagnia dell'Oca takes part is a historical, costumed archery tournament that takes place within the historic center of beautiful Italian cities. It is attended by numerous Companies of Archers from all over Italy, who compete along an itinerary that winds through narrow streets, towers, buttresses, and fortresses, where targets are positioned. These targets can be shields, plates, animal silhouettes depicting hunting scenes, dummies resembling soldiers simulating battle moments, and anything else that might recall historical moments or objects.

And in this championship, the Compagnia dell'Oca has achieved many successes, winning 8 Italian Team and Individual Champion titles in traditional archery and many placements in the Tournaments it has entered. To date, the Compagnia Arcieri dell'Oca has about forty members, and last year alone there were about thirty national outings for the archers including competitions, parades, and exhibitions. The results achieved in all events were great, not only in strictly sporting terms but also in the feedback and approval from the audience present. All this serves to reward all the Arcieri dell'Oca who, with commitment, dedication, and sacrifice, carry forward an activity that is more than just a sport; it is almost a cult that recreates the atmosphere and emotions of ancient reinassance challenges, representing their City around Italy, spreading its name, tradition, and history.