The first edition of the Feast of the Statutes dates back to 1996, to celebrate in this way the Millennial of the first news (996) reached us on the high-medieval castle of Fossato. The Statutes represent the written codification of uses, customs and old norms handed down and updated, for the organization of civil life within the community. In the hard copy it can also be read that their publication took place on May 13, 1386, in “Logia habitationis” by the Vicar of Fossato. The Statutes of Fossato survived until the Napoleonic era, even surpassing the period of submission to the Papal State in 1540.
Every year, on the second weekend of May, the Statutes are celebrated in Fossato di Vico by creating a medieval festival, based on the life of 1386, to which the natural aspect of the historic center of Fossato contributes magnificently. The party was born after the study of the texts and the publication of the book "The medieval statutes of Fossato and annexed reforms" by Prof. Luigi Galassi. This volume includes all 265 headings and the related reformations or updates. During the three days of celebration life is recalled in 1386 and the "Publicatio Statutorum" is celebrated, that is the publication of the Statutes of Fossato, which are among the oldest in Umbria and the oldest in the entire Umbrian-Marchigiano Apennines. .
The entire municipal area is divided into four parts, that is, into four "Doors", which are named after the four entrances to the historic center. The doors are: “Porta Portella”, “Porta del Castello”, “Porta Nova” and “Porta del Serrone”. These four doors compete for the Palio della Festa degli Statuti, which is painted by local artists. The tests are based on the historical archery competition, the “Ciurumella” competition and the score given by the judges based on the historical relevance of the medieval crafts that are represented on Saturday afternoon, the historical procession and the taverns.
The Festival of the Statutes manages to register great participation every year by the population and to involve all the inhabitants of the territory, who are able to immerse themselves and immerse visitors and tourists in the enveloping medieval climate and to recall those Statutes that for so many centuries have regulated the life inside the ancient Umbrian castle. Streets, squares and taverns are dressed up, becoming the ideal and characteristic places to savor the tastes and scents of the period. The smell of hot bread and grilled meat, the acrid smoke that unravels from the narrow streets, the wine that intoxicates and cheers everything, moments of a distant past, but that everyone in those moments has at hand. The Portaioli know how to brighten the atmosphere and make everyone not a spectator but a participant and in that melting pot of lights and shadows, flavors and smells, silences and shouts, they compete for the coveted Palio.