Palio di Castel del Piano Festival 2027, Italy

• septembre 8, 2027
  Date de l'événement :
• septembre 8, 2027
  Fin de l'événement :

À quoi s’attendre en 2027

Palio di Castel del Piano Festival 2027 will return to Castel del Piano in Tuscany with its traditional horse race, historical procession, religious ceremonies and celebrations of the town’s four Contrade. The modern Palio began in 1968, while the tradition of horse racing connected with the town’s religious celebrations has much older roots. The festival remains closely connected with the celebration of the Santissima Madonna delle Grazie.

The central event is a horse race involving four horses and four Contrade: Borgo, Monumento, Poggio and Le Storte. The race takes place in Piazza Garibaldi, while the wider festival programme includes horse selection, trials, historical costumes, flag-waving, drums, Contrada activities, religious ceremonies and the Corteo Storico.

The 2027 programme is expected to follow the established format, although exact supporting-event times and participant lists will be confirmed by the organisers closer to the festival.

Dates des événements

Main Palio: 8 September 2027

Période des festivals : The main celebration is centred around 8 September, with supporting Palio activities traditionally taking place across the surrounding days.

Annual status: Annual

Modern Palio: The current Contrade-based Palio began in 1968.

The official website identifies the Palio as a recurring annual tradition celebrating the SS. Madonna delle Grazie, with four horses, four Contrade and the community of Castel del Piano at its centre.

Vous visitez cet événement ? Ne manquez pas ces activités et expériences locales étonnantes pendant votre séjour.

Lieu et hippodrome

Piazza Garibaldi: The historic racecourse is located in the centre of Castel del Piano and is traditionally known locally as Piazza delle Storte. The four horses compete around the purpose-prepared track in the square.

Historical procession route: The Corteo Storico moves through several streets in the historic centre before reaching Piazza Garibaldi.

Madonna delle Grazie: The sanctuary plays an important role in the religious side of the Palio, including the blessing of the Palio and post-race thanksgiving.

Contrada areas: Each of the four Contrade maintains its own territory, headquarters, traditions and community activities.

The racecourse at Piazza Garibaldi is the defining physical setting of the Palio, while the surrounding town provides the wider festival environment.

Programme complet de l’événement

The 2027 programme is expected to include the established combination of horse-racing, historical, religious and community events.

• Horse selection batteries
• Allocation of horses to the four Contrade
• Palio trials
• Memorial Gastone Pioli
• Propitiatory Contrada dinners
• Religious services
• Procession historique
• Contrada flag performances
• Horse blessings
• Main Palio race
• Victory thanksgiving
• Traditional lottery activities
• Fireworks
• Contrada celebrations

Recent official programmes show that the days surrounding the Palio are filled with activities organised by the Comune, Magistrato and Consulta delle Contrade.

Courses, compétitions et spectacles

Palio di Castel del Piano: The principal race features four horses representing the four Contrade and takes place in Piazza Garibaldi.

Memorial Gastone Pioli: This separate horse race is traditionally held as part of the lead-up to the Palio and is associated with Anglo-Arab horses. Recent editions have used it as an important competitive event for horses participating in the selection process.

Horse-selection batteries: Preliminary heats are used to evaluate and select horses eligible for the main Palio.

Palio trials: The selected horses and jockeys take part in practice runs on the racecourse before the main competition.

Corteo Storico: The historical procession combines costumes, flags, musicians and representations of Castel del Piano’s historical communities.

Sbandierata delle Contrade: Flag-waving performances showcase the colours and identities of the four Contrade.

Chevaux, cavaliers et compétiteurs

The Palio is contested by four horse-and-rider combinations, one representing each Contrada.

The four Contrade are:

• Borgo: Pink and violet with black trim.
• Monumento: Associated historically with cultivators, weavers and linen merchants.
• Poggio: Historically associated with the local and Sienese nobility.
• Le Storte: White and black with blue trim.

The final 2027 horse and fantino combinations will be determined through the official selection and assignment procedures. Recent editions have included veterinary examinations before horses can be admitted to the competitions, reflecting the organisers’ emphasis on horse safety.

The latest official Albo d’Oro records the 2025 winner as Contrada Poggio with jockey Antonio Siri, known as “Amsicora,” riding Benito Baio.

Programme des courses/événements

The complete 2027 timetable has not yet been published, but the established sequence normally includes:

• Horse selection: Preliminary batteries determine the horses eligible for the Palio.
• Horse assignment: Selected horses are assigned to the four Contrade.
• Palio trials: Riders and horses test the Piazza Garibaldi course.
• Memorial Gastone Pioli: A separate horse race forms part of the supporting programme.
• Propitiatory dinners: Contrade communities gather for traditional pre-race dinners.
• Morning religious ceremonies: Masses and religious activities take place before the main race.
• Procession historique : Costumed participants parade through the town.
• Flag performance: The Contrade present their colours and traditional flag displays.
• Horse blessing: Each Contrada traditionally has its horse blessed in connection with the religious celebrations.
• Main Palio: Four horse-and-rider combinations compete in Piazza Garibaldi.
• Victory ceremony: The winning Contrada takes the Palio to the Madonna delle Grazie for thanksgiving.
• Closing celebrations: Recent programmes have included a lottery and fireworks.

Types de billets

Main Palio admission: The Palio is presented as a public community event in Piazza Garibaldi, and current event listings identify the festival as free to attend.

Visionnement public : General public areas around the racecourse are available for spectators, subject to crowd-control and safety arrangements.

Procession historique : The procession takes place through public streets and is part of the wider festival programme.

Previous-edition ticket reference: No reliable official spectator ticket price for the main Palio has been located in the published official programmes, so no invented dollar price is provided.

Statut du billet 2027 : Any special reserved seating, stands or controlled-access arrangements should be confirmed through the Comune or Palio organisers once the 2027 programme is published.

Options VIP et hôtellerie

No official 2027 VIP or hospitality package has been announced.

The Palio does traditionally include official and institutional seating around the racecourse, including an honour or official area associated with local authorities and Contrada representatives. The latest race coverage also refers to the mayor, police representatives and the four Contrada captains occupying the official stage area.

Visitors looking for hospitality should monitor the official Palio and Comune channels for any reserved seating, hospitality or organised dining options connected with the 2027 edition.

Exposants et activités liées aux animaux

The Palio is not primarily an exhibition or trade fair. Its animal-related programme focuses on the horses participating in the race.

Veterinary examinations: Horses are subject to veterinary checks before being admitted to the competitions. Recent organisers expanded the veterinary examination process when a record number of horses registered for the Palio and Memorial Gastone Pioli.

Horse selection: Preliminary batteries help determine which horses can participate.

Horse allocation: The selected horses are assigned to the four Contrade.

Training and trials: Horses and riders use the racecourse for practice before the main race.

Horse welfare: The organisers have explicitly emphasised horse safety as a priority when managing the competition.

Règles de l’événement et code vestimentaire

Race regulations: The Palio operates under official regulations overseen by the Comune and Magistrato del Palio. The municipality provides a dedicated section for the Palio regulations.

Safety zones: Spectators must remain outside the racecourse and follow barriers and instructions from event personnel.

Horse access: Visitors must not approach horses, stables or restricted competition areas unless authorised.

Procession route: Spectators should keep clear of the Corteo Storico and allow participants to move safely through the streets.

Photographie : Photography is generally possible from public spectator areas, but visitors should avoid obstructing performers, horses or official operations.

Dress code: Ordinary visitors do not have a formal historical dress requirement. Historical costumes are worn by official procession participants and Contrada representatives.

Historic clothing: The Corteo Storico is an organised historical reenactment representing different social groups and historical figures associated with Castel del Piano.

Comment y arriver

En voiture : Castel del Piano is located on Monte Amiata in southern Tuscany and can be reached by road from Grosseto, Siena, Montalcino, Arcidosso and other Tuscan destinations.

From Grosseto: The town can be reached by road through the Amiata area.

From Siena: Castel del Piano is accessible by road from Siena and the surrounding Val d’Orcia area.

De Rome : Visitors travelling from Rome can reach Castel del Piano by road through northern Lazio and southern Tuscany.

Because the main race takes place in Piazza Garibaldi, traffic and pedestrian arrangements can change during the festival. Visitors arriving by car should allow extra time for parking and walking to the racecourse.

Transports en commun et stationnement

Bus : Castel del Piano is connected to the regional public transport network serving the Monte Amiata area. Visitors arriving by public transport should check current regional bus schedules because services can vary according to the season.

Rail : Castel del Piano does not have a railway station in the town centre. Visitors travelling by train generally need to continue by regional bus or taxi from a nearby railway connection.

Stationnement : Public parking is available around Castel del Piano, although spaces near Piazza Garibaldi become heavily used during the Palio.

Event restrictions: Temporary traffic restrictions and pedestrian controls may be introduced around the racecourse and historic centre.

Marche : Staying in central Castel del Piano makes it easier to reach Piazza Garibaldi and the historical procession without relying on a car.

Zones d’hébergement

Castel del Piano centre: The most convenient option for visitors who want to walk to Piazza Garibaldi, Contrada areas and festival activities.

Monte Amiata: Rural accommodation and agriturismi around the mountain provide a quieter base while remaining within driving distance of the Palio.

Arcidosso: A nearby town offering additional accommodation and services.

Santa Fiora: A historic Monte Amiata destination that can be combined with the Palio as part of a wider cultural trip.

Montalcino and Val d’Orcia: Suitable for visitors combining the Palio with Tuscany’s wine and heritage destinations.

Early booking is recommended because the Palio takes place during the busy late-summer travel period.

Nourriture et boissons

Food is strongly connected with Contrada culture during the Palio period. The individual Contrade organise dinners and community meals as part of the celebrations leading up to the main race. Recent programmes specifically included propitiatory dinners in the Contrade.

Visitors can look for Tuscan and Monte Amiata specialities such as:

• Handmade pasta
• Viandes salées locales
• Pecorino cheese
• Tuscan soups
• Wild boar dishes
• Mushrooms
• Chestnut-based products
• Local bread
• Légumes de saison
• Vins toscans

The Contrade also organise food-related community events throughout the year. For example, Le Storte’s activities include a Festa della Pasta Fresca and other community meals, while Borgo organises traditional gatherings and food events in its territory.

Accessibilité

The Palio takes place in a working town centre, with the racecourse, procession routes and religious venues distributed across central Castel del Piano.

Racecourse: Piazza Garibaldi provides a central public viewing environment, but crowd density can be high during the main race.

Historic streets: The Corteo Storico uses several central streets, some of which may have uneven surfaces or limited pedestrian space.

Mobility planning: Visitors with reduced mobility should identify accessible parking and a suitable viewing position before the busiest festival periods.

Crowds: The main race attracts large crowds, and access arrangements may be affected by temporary safety barriers and traffic restrictions.

Visitors requiring specific assistance should contact the Comune di Castel del Piano before attending so that current accessibility arrangements can be confirmed.

Meilleures courses et événements auxquels assister

Main Palio: The central horse race in Piazza Garibaldi is the defining event of the festival and features one horse representing each of the four Contrade.

Corteo Storico: The historical procession provides the strongest connection between the horse race and Castel del Piano’s historical traditions.

Horse-selection batteries: These provide an opportunity to see the participating horses before the final race.

Palio trials: Practice sessions allow visitors to see the horses and riders familiarising themselves with the Piazza Garibaldi course.

Memorial Gastone Pioli: This supporting horse race provides additional competitive action during the Palio programme.

Sbandierata delle Contrade: The flag performances showcase the colours, symbols and identity of the four Contrade.

Horse blessings: The religious tradition provides an important cultural connection between the Palio and the Madonna delle Grazie celebration.

Faits marquants de l’année précédente

The 2025 Palio programme included horse-selection batteries, horse assignment, trials, the Memorial Gastone Pioli, propitiatory Contrada dinners, the historical procession, flag performances, horse blessings and the main Palio. The programme also included a post-race thanksgiving ceremony and fireworks.

The 2025 edition attracted an unusually large number of horse registrations. Thirty-one horses were initially registered, with twenty-six scheduled for veterinary examinations before competing for places in the Palio and Memorial.

The official Albo d’Oro records Contrada Poggio as the 2025 winner, with fantino Antonio Siri “Amsicora” riding Benito Baio.

The historical procession and Contrada activities remained central parts of the celebration, maintaining the connection between the horse race, religious tradition and the historical identity of Castel del Piano.

Billets officiels

2027 admission status: The main Palio is presented as a public event, and current event listings identify admission as free.

2027 ticket price: $0 for general public attendance, subject to any special arrangements announced by the organisers.

Previous-edition paid ticket: No reliable official spectator ticket price for the main Palio has been identified in the published official programme, so no unsupported previous price is given.

Organisateur officiel : Comune di Castel del Piano, together with the Magistrato del Palio and Consulta delle Contrade.

Site officiel : https://www.paliodicasteldelpiano.it/

Comune address: Via G. Marconi 9, 58033 Castel del Piano, Grosseto, Italy.

Comune telephone: +39 0564 965451.

Official 2027 information on any reserved seating, hospitality arrangements or special access should be checked through the organiser before attending.

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