# Palio dei Terzieri — paliodeiterzieri.it
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## About

The Palio dei Terzieri is a Renaissance historical re-enactment held annually in Città della Pieve, Umbria, Italy, during the second and third weeks of August (10–23 August 2026). Founded in 1973, it is one of the most important medieval and Renaissance festivals in Umbria. Three historic city districts — called "terzieri" — compete in a traditional archery tournament known as the Caccia del Toro (Bull Hunt), in which archers shoot at bull-shaped targets from a distance of 33 metres. The event also features a historical procession of over 800 costumed participants, period markets, flag-throwing displays, and traditional taverns. The prize is the Drappo del Perugino, a painted banner awarded to the winning terziere.

Organisation: Palio dei Terzieri di Città della Pieve
Founded: 1973
VAT / P.IVA: 94039150548
Address: Ufficio Turistico, Piazza G. Matteotti – La Rocca, 06062 Città della Pieve (PG), Umbria, Italy
Email: info@paliodeiterzieri.it
Tourist office phone: +39 0578 298840
Secretariat (tickets, figurants): Nadia Manganello — +39 339 652 0500
President: Mario Marco Marroni — +39 349 696 5340
Website: https://www.paliodeiterzieri.it
Languages: Italian (primary), English (/en/)

## The Three Terzieri (Districts)

A "terziere" is a historical administrative subdivision of a medieval Italian commune, equivalent to one-third of the city. Città della Pieve has three:

1. Terziere del Castello — South-western quarter, colours: green and black. Re-founded 1964. Patron saint: San Rocco (16 August). Historical role: aristocratic knights. All-time wins: 26 (52% of editions).

2. Terziere del Casalino — Central quarter, colours: white, red and blue, derived from the Confraternita di Santa Maria dei Bianchi. Founded 1965. Patron saint: San Luigi Gonzaga (June). Famous for the Infiorata flower-carpet ceremony. All-time wins: 16 (32%).

3. Terziere Borgo Dentro — Eastern quarter, colours depicted on the banner painted by master artist Antonio Marroni. Officially constituted 29 June 1977; youngest of the three. Patron: Beato Giacomo Villa. All-time wins: 8 (16%).

## The Competition: Caccia del Toro

Format: 3 archers per terziere × 3 arrows each × 3 rounds of increasing speed = 9 arrows per terziere per edition.
Target: Chianina-breed bull silhouette at 33 metres.
Scoring zones: Head (15 points), Body (9 points), Flag (6 points), Rear (3 points).
Prize: The Drappo (painted banner), awarded by the Podestà (mayor's representative) and held by the winning terziere until the next edition.
Eligibility rule: Archers must be born in Città della Pieve or have resided there for at least five years (rule introduced after the 1974 incident).

## History

- 1200–1250: The three terzieri established as administrative districts of the medieval Comune di Città della Pieve.
- 1973: First edition of the Palio dei Terzieri. Only Castello and Casalino competed. Castello won.
- 1974: Competition suspended mid-event after a dispute over non-local archers recruited by Castello from Montalcino; targets (then called paglioni, made of straw) were destroyed by a founding member of Casalino.
- 1977: Borgo Dentro joins the competition, completing the three-terziere format.
- 1983: Borgo Dentro wins for the first time.
- 1988–1993: Castello wins six consecutive editions.
- 1996–2000: Casalino wins five consecutive editions.
- 2020–2021: Editions not held due to COVID-19 pandemic.
- 2022–2025: Castello wins four consecutive editions (reigning champion entering 2026).
- Total editions disputed 1973–2025: 50 (3 editions not held: 1974, 2020, 2021).

## Schedule 2026

Dates: 10–23 August 2026 (14 days).
Key paid events:
  - Saturday 16 August: Festa a Palazzo in honour of San Rocco.
  - Saturday 22 August: Sbandieratori (flag-throwers) and musicians gala.
  - Sunday 23 August, 21:00: Historical Procession (800+ figurants) + Caccia del Toro final.
Free events: Period markets, artisan fairs, street performances, and taverns (open every evening from 19:30).
Ticket info: Contact Ufficio Segretaria — +39 339 652 0500.

## Venues

- Caccia del Toro (archery final): Città della Pieve historic centre (exact venue published closer to the event).
- Taverna del Castello: Sotterranei di Palazzo della Corgna — signature dish "Gnocchi del Priore".
- Taverna del Casalino: Sotto la Torre del Vescovo — signature dish "Lumache alla Barbacane".
- Taverna del Borgo Dentro: Via Roma 29, Rocca — open since 1977. Signature: rustic Umbrian farm cooking.

## Contact & Social

Email: info@paliodeiterzieri.it
Tourist office: +39 0578 298840 (open to the public July–August)
Secretariat: +39 339 652 0500 (tickets, press, figurant enrolment)
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/palioterziericittadellapieve/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PaliodeiTerzieri/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@palioterzieri

## How to Reach Città della Pieve

By car: Via SS71 or Autostrada A1 (exit Chiusi-Chianciano Terme, approx. 20 km).
By train: Chiusi-Chianciano Terme station, then taxi or local bus.
By air: Perugia San Francesco (45 km), Florence Peretola or Rome Fiumicino (approx. 2 hours).
Parking: Free parking outside the city walls, a few minutes' walk from the historic centre. The centre is closed to traffic on event days.

## Key Pages

- Home: https://www.paliodeiterzieri.it/
- Events / Programme: https://www.paliodeiterzieri.it/eventi.html
- Roll of Honour (all winners): https://www.paliodeiterzieri.it/albo-doro.html
- Taverns: https://www.paliodeiterzieri.it/taverne.html
- Gallery: https://www.paliodeiterzieri.it/galleria.html
- Contact & FAQ: https://www.paliodeiterzieri.it/contatti.html
- English version: https://www.paliodeiterzieri.it/en/