The dates of July 2 and August 16 are unavoidable for lovers of the "Palio" par excellence, that of Siena. But the race that is held twice a year in Piazza del Campo is not the only one in which horses are the protagonists. In Italy many cities or towns host palios or jousts that have their roots throughout the centuries. To call them recreations would be an understatement. These events represent the identity and tradition of a community, and are also very fascinating for tourists who want to get involved in an exciting reality and live a weekend full of emotions.
Firstly, the word Palio derives from the Latin term pallium, a cloth that was given as a prize in competitions. After Siena, the best known is Palio de Asti, which takes place in Piazza Alfieri, in the heart of the Piedmontese city. Until 2017 it took place on the third Sunday of September, but this year it was brought forward to Sunday, September 1 (or in any case to the first of the month).
Also in northern Italy Palio de Legnano (Milan), was born in 1935 to commemorate the battle fought on May 29, 1176 between the troops of the Lombard League and the imperial army of Frederick Barbarossa. The race is held on the last Sunday in May.
Same date for Palio de Ferrara, which holds the title of "oldest Palio in the world". Horse racing through the streets of the city of Este was institutionalized in 1279, after the victory obtained by Azzo VII d'Este, commander of the papal troops, over the imperial army. Today the eight districts compete in the Piazza Ariostea race.
Siena reigns in Tuscany, but there is no shortage of fascinating events in other cities and small towns. The third Sunday in May Palio de Fucecchio (Florence), which recalls a dispute from the 13th century, while in the province of Pisa the Palios of Buti (the Sunday after January 17, feast of Sant'Antonio Abate) and bientina (third Sunday of July, in honor of Saint Valentine the Martyr). Detail the Palio of the Etruscan Coast of San Vincenzo (Livorno), which is celebrated in April by the sea.
In addition to the palios, jousting is also a very popular recreation in Italy. In this case, these are competitions that follow the model of medieval war games and are carried out strictly on horseback. Staying in Tuscany, the best known are the Joust of the Saracens of Arezzo, which takes place in the Piazza Grande in two events (penultimate Saturday in June and first Sunday in September) and the bear carousel of Pistoia, scheduled every July 25, in honor of San Jacopo, patron saint of the city.
The best known of all, however, is located in Umbria, and it is there Quintana Carousel from Foligno. On the second or third Sunday of June and the second or third Sunday of September, the city's neighborhoods face each other in a challenge where knights armed with lances must hit the ring placed on a flag in the shortest time possible.
