Feast and palio of Santa Croce | Casciana Terme

Every year, at the beginning of May, Casciana Terme celebrates the feast of Santa Croce, honouring the Holy Cross in the Church of San Martino.

At the same time the “palio” a contest among the districts takes place. Casina (blue), Gorina (green), Centro (red) and Pietraia (yellow) challenge each other in popular games such as tug-of-war, castle assault, the Cuccagna tree, drink that passes and the cart race.

The parade of the districts starts from Largo Mazzini and arrives in Piazza Garibaldi. Traditionally, there is also a themed costume parade of the 4 districts of Casciana: more than six hundred participants perform accompanied by choreography, ballets and floats, surprising the spectators with richly original performances on themes decided each year.