The Compagnia Balestrieri di Roccapiatta was founded in 1976 as part of the Pro-Loco di Prarostino.

It remained isolated in northern Italy until August 1986, when it submitted its application for membership of LITAB (Italian League of Ancient Crossbow Shooting). The tradition dates back to the municipal crossbow companies that existed in the Pinerolo area in the 14th century. The crossbowmen were engaged in training activities that culminated in the Tiro di San Lorenzo event. They were always available to defend the territory and could only leave with the troops of the Princes of Acaya.

On March 26, 1388, a company was formed with a charter that established, among other things, a series of rules on the delivery of crossbows purchased by the municipality to shooters, for whom a guarantor had to guarantee the cost of the crossbows, their use, the training to be carried out, and the general organization of the company.

The company joined LITAB on May 3, 1987, immediately participating in the III National Championship in Assisi, held on May 27.

Today, the Company consists of a standard bearer, a large number of crossbowmen, drummers, flag throwers, and ladies. The costumes worn during the parades are designed to immerse spectators in the medieval era, which is why they are simple, in muted colors, and not ostentatious.

The flag-waving group, one of the few entirely female groups in Italy, is very diverse in age, welcoming school-age girls who are gradually trained in the discipline of flag-waving, up to more mature ages, with more complex throwing and flag-waving performances. The flag-wavers’ performances are accompanied by the rhythms of drums and snare drums, also played by members of a wide range of ages.

Every year, in preparation for the National Championship of Ancient Crossbow Shooting, crossbowmen organize a series of internal qualifying competitions to determine the 15 best crossbowmen who will participate in the championship.

These competitions, in addition to being actual qualifiers, consolidate the group and, by offering prizes for those at the top of the rankings, create a healthy competitive spirit that strengthens the team.

Despite being an isolated entity in Piedmont and in a small mountain village, the Compagnia Balestrieri di Roccapiatta has organized several National Championships.

The group has participated in numerous international events, visiting Vienna in Austria, Hungary, France, and Switzerland on several occasions to cement the friendship between Prarostino and its twin town of Mont-sur-Rolle.