Historic Palio of the Contrade | Pomarance

The second Sunday in September is the day of the historic palio of Pomarance, now in its 51st year: it starts at 3.30 p.m. with the parade through the streets of the village to the sports field in the piazzone, where the theatrical performances begin at 4.30 p.m. The proclamation of the winning contrada at 10 pm after the dinner in the streets and squares of the village.

Unlike other historical palios, which passionately carry on the traditions of many Tuscan localities, that of Pomarance is a palio ‘sui generis’, somehow unique. Contending for the ‘palio’ are not archers, crossbowmen, horses, jockeys or other figures echoing the age of the ‘disfide’, but rather amateur actors who put together original theatrical performances, created and directed by themselves, often giving life to real pieces of remarkable scenographic and dramaturgical quality.

In Pomarance, the Palio begins the Sunday before with the Investiture of the Captains ceremony (Piazza Sant’Anna, 9 pm). The representatives of the four districts Centro, Gelso, Marzocco and Paese Novo gather, followed by their respective processions, for the presentation of the Palio (here called ‘Cencio’), the coveted prize that will be awarded to the winning district. Each year a different palio is presented, created by a local artist. On this day, the population pours into the Piazzone waiting to know the pairings for the Palio proper, which will take place the following Sunday.

photographs © Mauro Fanfani