The beginning of a growing passion
"What started as simple curiosity grew into something lasting and meaningful."
My name is Mattia and I'm from Italy.
My passion for the Norse world began several years ago, though it's difficult to pinpoint the exact moment it truly started. Part of it certainly came through music: bands like Amon Amarth sparked my curiosity and introduced me to the powerful imagery and mythology of the Viking Age. Later, that interest grew even stronger thanks to the TV series Vikings, which fired up my imagination and drove me to explore this fascinating world more deeply. What began as simple curiosity gradually transformed into something far more meaningful and lasting.
Over the years, this passion continued to grow until in 2019, together with a group of friends who shared the same enthusiasm, we founded a group called I Mastini della Torre. What initially started as a small circle of friends brought together by a shared interest eventually developed into a real sports association. This step marked an important evolution for us, because it turned a shared hobby into an organized and structured activity.
We are not strict historical re-enactors. From the beginning, we consciously chose not to bind ourselves to overly rigid rules or excessively strict historical dogmas. While we have deep respect for history and always strive to remain as authentic as possible, our main focus is on stage combat and entertainment rather than absolute historical accuracy. We prefer to approach this world with passion and enthusiasm, without taking ourselves too seriously. For us, creating compelling performances and sharing the Viking spirit with the audience is just as important as historical accuracy.
From local festival to major responsibilities
"Dedication and hard work can turn a small role into a major responsibility."
Our journey began at our small local medieval festival in our hometown. At first, we participated as simple extras in the main show. Year after year, however, our involvement grew. Through dedication and hard work, we gradually took on more responsibilities until, starting in 2024, we were entrusted with full management of the event. This has been one of our greatest achievements because it represents both recognition for our efforts and confidence in our abilities.
Beyond the festival in our own city, we have attended various other events in the surrounding areas and have even been invited to participate in an event abroad — an experience that made us particularly proud and showed us how far our passion has taken us.
More than a hobby: knowledge, people, and fulfillment
"The satisfaction this passion brings is priceless."
On a personal level, my interest has evolved beyond just performing. Over time, I've tried to deepen my knowledge by studying historical sources and doing careful research whenever I decide to acquire new equipment or clothing. While we're not strict re-enactors, I believe it's important to stay as close as possible to historical reality, especially when investing in new pieces for your character. My first purchase dates back to 2019, and since then I've continued to regularly expand my equipment. I don't like being repetitive; instead, I enjoy adding new elements to my character to make it richer and more distinctive each time. In this regard, Celtic WebMerchant has proved to be the perfect place to find everything I need. They offer a wide range of high-quality products at reasonable prices, always with careful attention to historical sources.
There's no doubt that this passion can be costly. Equipment, clothing, travel, and event organization all require time and financial investment. Yet the satisfaction it brings is priceless. Seeing people enjoy our performances, witnessing their enthusiasm, and knowing that we can offer them a small but tangible connection to history makes every effort worthwhile. It's especially wonderful to see how children become fascinated by history. In a world increasingly focused on the future and technological progress, it's beautiful to see how young generations discover and appreciate the past.
Another invaluable aspect of this journey is the chance to meet new people. Through events and festivals, I've had the opportunity to connect with people who share similar passions, to spend valuable time together, and to build friendships that can last a lifetime. Being outdoors, having fun, sharing a few beers in good company, and taking a break from daily routine — all of this makes this passion much more than a hobby. It's a way to feel alive, to create memories, and to experience a sense of connection.
For all these reasons, this world still genuinely makes me happy, and I look forward to seeing where this journey takes me next.
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