Historical Procession
Hundreds of performers in medieval costume parade through the streets of the center. Ladies, knights, drummers and standard-bearers bring 1334 back to life.
Pietralunga · Umbria · Italy
Palio della
Mannaja
2026
A medieval town. A miracle from 1334.
A week of faith and legend, where history comes to life.
August 3 – 9, 2026 Pietralunga (PG), Italy · Free admission
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Where do you want to start?
Explore the Palio
Seven pages, one for everything you need to know or experience.
The event
The Program
Seven days of events, ceremonies and shows. The procession, the Biroccio, taverns and the Burning of the Fortress.
The story
The Miracle
Anno Domini 1334. A pilgrim, a death sentence, and an act of faith that changed everything.
The Palio
Boroughs & Districts
Five competing boroughs, five different identities. Discover them and choose your banner.
The town
Pietralunga
What to see, what to do and how to get there. A guide to the medieval Umbrian town that hosts the Palio.
Food & wine
Where to Eat
Medieval taverns open in the evening, local trattorias for lunch. Authentic Umbrian cuisine.
Where to stay
Where to Stay
Farmhouses and B&Bs immersed in green Umbria. Book ahead during Palio week.
Game · 8 questions
Which borough do you belong to?
Answer eight questions and discover the borough closest to your heart. Then pick the right tavern and cheer for your borough.
The story
The Miracle of the Mannaja
Anno Domini 1334
It was 1334 when Giovanni di Lorenzo da Piccardia, a pilgrim on his way to Lucca to venerate the Volto Santo, was sentenced to death by beheading near Pietralunga. In his darkest hour he entrusted himself with all his heart to the Volto Santo of Lucca — and the mannaja turned aside, unable to complete its course.
From that day on, Pietralunga has kept this memory as a living treasure, renewing it every year in the Palio that bears the name of that ancient instrument of death turned symbol of grace.
"The blade turned aside, and life returned where death seemed certain."Discover the whole story →
Summer 2026
The Program
Seven days of history, shows and conviviality.
Scroll to see what happens each day.
Experiences
Live the Palio
Every alley tells a story, every evening is different.
Here's what awaits you in Pietralunga.
Corsa del Biroccio
The most thrilling challenge of the Palio. The boroughs' carts compete for victory in a race that stirs the crowd and unites generations.
Taverns & Inns
The boroughs' taverns and local inns open every evening during the Palio. Authentic Umbrian cuisine, local wines and real conviviality.
Flag-Wavers & Drummers
The steady rhythm of the drums and the flight of colorful banners — two ancient arts that bring processions and squares to life with grace and precision.
Medieval Games
Sack races, steal-the-handkerchief, tug of war, archery and bocce. The medieval games put the boroughs to the test before the big race.
Medieval Shows
Fire, music and medieval magic fill the Palio evenings. Traveling shows that turn the town's streets into a stage from another time.
Where
Pietralunga (PG), Umbria
When
August 3 – 9, 2026
Admission
Free for all events
A year of Palio
The Palio Gallery
A taste of what awaits you, from Monday to Sunday.
2026 news
Stay Updated
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