Palio of Ferrara 2023

Folklore and festivals

A month of celebrations, parades, flag-throwing competitions and a spectacular horse race in Piazza Ariostea

The Palio was made official in 1279 and rapidly transformed into the symbol of a glorious and fascinating Renaissance.

Since then rituals and dates have only changed slightly, celebration in the town has not been altered. A month of celebrations, parades, races and competitions between the eight Contrade [quarters tied to the parish] to win the precious drape dedicated to Saint George, the patron saint of Ferrara.

The already warm month of May welcomes the figurants in original costume who parade through the streets of the city centre and the hard-fought flag-throwing competitions in Piazza del Municipio take us up to the spectacular horse race in Piazza Ariostea.

Timetable

>Saturday May 6th, h. 4.30pm

Chiesa di San Francesco (Via Terranuova)

BLESSING OF THE PALII

The Contrade take part to the Holy Mass each of them offering a candle to the altar. The bishop blesses the "palii", the prizes for the winners of the four races all'altare.

>Saturday May 13th, h 3.00pm and 8.30pm

>Sunday May 14th, 4pm

Piazza Municipale

OLD GAMES OF THE ESTE FLAGS

The flag wavers of the Ferarra Palio have been masters of their art for hundreds of years and have won numerous international competitions. These competitions also draw a huge crowd of devoted fans. The music, colour and acrobacy of these exhibitions has the effect of carrying the public back in time to the golden days of when the Este family ruled the city.

>Saturday May 20th, h. 8.45 pm

Piazzale Medaglie d'oro - Corso della Giovecca, Castello Estense - Piazza Castello

HISTORICAL PROCESSION

The contrade, represented by over 1000 people in Renaissance costumes, parade

>Wednesday May 24th, 9am and 9.30pm

>Thursday May 25th, 9pm and 9.30pm

Piazza Ariostea

HORSES TESTING

>Saturday May 27th, h. 8.00 pm

Piazza Ariostea

RACES OF THE PALIO

The races take place every year on the last Saturday of May to recall the extraordinary Palio that celebrated the crowning of Borso d'Este as first Duke of Ferrara in 1471.

The races are four:

Corsa dei putti - Boys' race (Palio di San Romano)

Corsa delle putte - Girls' race (Palio di San Paolo)

Corsa delle asine - Donkey race (Palio di San Maurelio)

Corsa dei cavalli - Horse race (Palio di San Giorgio).