Palio di Pescia

The challenge between the districts of the city

Palio is not only competition, but also magic, tradition and folklore. The more than seven hundred participants wearing clothes of 1400 transform a simple demonstration in an actual reenactment. Hundreds Dames, the nobles, the archers, musicians, flag throwers who dress and parade for the occasion. Also, fighting with swords attract many tourists every year. This is the "Palio di Pescia and is held annually on the first Sunday of September in honor of the Patron Saint Dorothy. Along the streets of the town is easy to get lost among the thousands of street banners and colors echoing melodies that you put in another era.

Il Palio di Pescia is also known as Palio dei Rioni or archers. It is a challenge of archery between the four districts of the country: Ferraia, S. Maria, S. Michele e S. Francesco who compete to win the prize, usually a hand painted cloth. The districts and the town of Pescia await this moment throughout the year with much trepidation, and during the week preceding the Palio, le strade di Pescia are filled with music and performances of street artists.  Held for over forty years with the intent to celebrate the historical importance of Pescia and got by now an international reputation.

 

Photo Credits [collodi.com]