Palio delle Contrade di Ferrara

It is said, in fact, that already in 1259, to celebrate the victory of the papal army over the imperial one, the people of Ferrara organized races of infantrymen, horses, and donkeys along the city’s streets, and that, in later times, the tradition of organizing races and parades to celebrate even minor events, such as births and weddings, had taken hold. This tradition became so established that, in 1279, the obligation to run on April 23 in honor of the patron Saint George and on August 15 in honor of the Madonna was decreed. Today, the Palio celebrations are divided into three very specific moments:

• on the first Saturday of May, the standard-bearers of the four districts into which the old city is divided carry the candles to the cathedral, where the palii or drapes, which represent the trophy for the race winners, are blessed;
• On the third Saturday of the month, in the late afternoon, a spectacular historical costume procession takes place through the city streets, involving about a thousand participants, who bring to life performances of songs, dances, and small theatrical pieces in the splendid setting of the Estense Castle square;
• On the last Sunday of May, the districts take to the field in Ariostea square and compete in the race of the putte (girls), for the conquest of the Palio of San Paolo; of the putti (boys) for the conquest of the Palio of San Romano; and in the donkey race for the Palio of San Maurelio.