“Palio or Regatta of San Ranieri” | Pisa

The Palio di San Ranieri is back on the water with the challenge in the Arno between the four boats representing the four historical city quarters: San Francesco (yellow boat), San Martino (red boat) Santa Maria (light blue boat) and Sant’Antonio (green boat).

The regatta starts at 5pm with the boats racing for 1500 metres against the current from the Ponte della Cittadella, at the Canottieri Arno headquarters, to the finish line at the Scalo dei Renaioli. Ten members, including rowers, coxswain and fitter, will compete for the “paliotto” of victory, a flag hoisted on a ten-metre high flagpole that represents the real finishing line. The flag has a highly symbolic value, because it recalls the fighting flame that the Christian troops took from the Muslims during the Battle of Lepanto in 1571.

Programme 2022
18:00 From Piazza XX Settembre to Scalo Renaioli the historical procession of the Palio di San Ranieri
6:30 p.m. Start of the regatta on the River Arno with arrival in front of the Museum of San Matteo – Lungarno Mediceo

The Giugno Pisano revolves around the 17th of June, Saint Ranieri, known as Ranieri Scàcceri, born into a wealthy merchant family. Ranieri died on 17 June 1161 and over the centuries his cult grew to such an extent that from 1632 he was venerated as Patron Saint of Pisa. Every year the celebrations begin the night before; the city prepares for the Regatta with a prologue of lights and fireworks, the Luminara.

There is also the traditional San Ranieri Fair, which runs from Piazza dei Miracoli to Piazza dei Cavalieri, along Via Santa Maria and Via Corsica: stalls open from 8 am to 8 pm.