Ancient Palio of Viano

A palio with ancient roots in the heart of Tuscia

The Ancient Palio of Viano is the signature event of Vejano, a small village in the province of Viterbo whose historical name was Viano. According to local tradition, the palio dates back to 1582. Since then, the race has been tied to the last Sunday of August and the feast of the patron saint Sant'Orsio, in whose honor the village celebrates. After periods of interruption, the event was revived in recent years by the Municipality of Vejano and has returned to being the most anticipated summer appointment in the Viterbo Tuscia area.

The race: bareback horses along Corso Umberto I

The heart of the day is the equestrian race in the historic center. The protagonists are thoroughbred horses at least four years old, ridden bareback—without a saddle—competing two at a time along the village's main street, Corso Umberto I, on a course of approximately 530 meters with a standing start. The sporting format includes qualifying heats with eight horses, two semi-finals, and a final that awards the banner. The rules are strict: changing trajectory is not allowed, horses that veer off course are disqualified, and the jury's verdict is final. The public watches from along the street, cheering on the jockeys in an atmosphere that recalls, on a village scale, the great historical Italian races.

A day of celebration for the whole village

The palio transforms Vejano into an open-air stage: alongside the race, the program features annual side events, performances, historical re-enactments, and moments of collective participation involving citizens, associations, and visitors. The afternoon of the race traditionally kicks off after 3:00 PM, with the arrival of the horses and the succession of heats leading up to the final. It is a community festival where the sporting dimension intertwines with the religious aspect of the patronal feast and the conviviality typical of Tuscia villages.

Recent revival and support from the Lazio Region

Recent editions have brought the palio back to the center of village life: in 2023 the race took place on August 27, while in the August 25, 2024 edition, victory went to jockey Gianluca Cecaloni riding Bella Senz'Anima, who bested Cor Magis in the final. For the 2026 edition, scheduled for Sunday, August 30, the Lazio Region has allocated a grant of 20,000 euros, a recognition that—as highlighted by Mayor Teresa Pasquali—confirms the cultural and tourism value of the event and guarantees its continuity.

Vejano, a Tuscia village between Rome and Viterbo

Attending the palio is also an opportunity to discover Vejano, a village of a few hundred inhabitants nestled in the Tuscia countryside, between Rome and Viterbo. Stone alleys, views of the Lazio landscape, and an atmosphere that has remained authentic frame a tradition that the Municipality of Vejano, with the support of the Lazio Region, preserves and passes down as a living heritage of the territory.