The different Sestieri of the city fight each other to win the palio.
Just like in Siena, events are kicked off with a grand procession before the incredible spectacle of the jousting tournament begins. Head to Ascoli Piceno on the second Saturday in July (or on the first Sunday in August) to witness the Quintana, a Medieval jousting tournament that is one of the oldest in Italy. The palio in Siena is just one of several palios taking place in July and August. The winning contrada will go on to display the drappellone in its museum as part of the celebrations. They are competing to win the coveted drapellone (large drape) which is a large, unique painted silk canvas, designed by a different artist each year. The winner is the first to cross the finishing line after racing around the track three times. The event itself involves the ten horsemen riding bareback around the Piazza del Campo. Incidentally, the flags of the contrade will be displayed on buildings throughout Siena so you’ll always know which contrada you’re in. Each flag shows the unique emblem and colours of the contrada it represents. This is a spectacular parade of flag wavers dressed head to toe in medieval costumes. The palio kicks off with a grand pageant – the Corteo Storico. Interestingly, each jockey only knows which horse he will be riding four days prior when these lots are drawn. Seven of these take part by right and the remaining three get their place if they were lucky enough to be drawn via lot ( tratta). These days there are seventeen – Eagle, Snail, Wave, Panther, Forest, Tortoise, Owl, Unicorn, Shell, Tower, Ram, Caterpillar, Dragon, Giraffe, Porcupine, She-Wolf and the Goose – but only ten actually compete in the palio. Originally, there would actually have been 59 of them. Every resident of Siena will belong to a contrada. The palio in July is the Palio of Provenzano, held in honour of the Madonna of Provenzano.Įach palio is a competition between ten of the seventeen contrade in Siena. Visitors can buy a card which permits unlimited access to the various concerts, exhibitions and performances held around the city during the festival.Īrguably Italy’s most famous festival, and certainly one of its oldest, the Siena palio takes place not once but twice a year on both 2 July and 16 August. The programme (and dates) change annually but what you can be assured of is that Ancona Jazz will always attract an eclectic and talented group of jazz musicians from all over the world who perform in concerts and events over the course of the fortnight. The capital of the Marche region in Italy, Ancona, has hosted a jazz festival each July since 1973, celebrating this wonderful musical genre. The day culminates with a spectacular fireworks display. Spectators may then be surprised to see the float being smashed to pieces by those gathered with everyone desperately trying to grab a piece of of it since doing so will supposedly bring them good luck for the following year.
The statue is taken to a float made of papier-mâchè which is positioned near the Church of Annuziata and then the procession continues with men on horseback leading the float to Matera’s cathedral where it is carried three times around the square before the statues are placed inside. The processions start with a parade of shepherds making their way through the town but plenty of other processions follow, the most important being the one that includes the statue of the Madonna and child. These days, the event involves days of celebrations with lights and market stalls filling the streets accompanied by music and processions. The celebrations are held in honour of the Madonna della Bruna and have been taking place since 1389.
Festivities culminate on 2 July, but you will find celebrations taking places across the whole week. The Festa di Maria Santissima della Bruna is held in Matera each year. We can promise you that July to December 2023 proves to be just as busy in Italy! Here are some of the most famous events in Italy for 2023 along with some of our (potentially) less well known favourites which we want to share with you.
Following on from our last article which summarised the biggest and best events in Italy for the first half of 2023, we’ve moved on to the second half of the year.
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