Corsa della Secchia (Three Villages Palio)

A Water Challenge for August 15th

The Corsa della Secchia, also known as the Palio delle tre Ville, is the traditional event that enlivens Bolognola every August 15th. This small town in the Province of Macerata is nestled in the Sibillini Mountains National Park. With an altitude of approximately 1,070 meters, Bolognola is the highest municipality in the Marche region and, despite its small population, it is also the smallest Italian municipality to have been awarded the title of city.

The race is simple in its rules but spectacular in its execution: three teams of four competitors each vie for the palio by running through the village's uphill and downhill streets. Each team represents one of the three historic hamlets of the village and must transport a bucket full of water from the starting point to the finish line. The challenge is not just about speed: the ability to avoid spilling the precious contents along the route makes the difference.

The Three Villages in Competition

The inhabited core of Bolognola is made up of three ancient districts, each with its own church, its own square, and its own identity:

• Villa da Capo (Villa Malvezzi), to the south;
• Villa di Mezzo (Villa Pepoli), in the center;
• Villa da Piedi (Villa Bentivoglio), to the north.

The names of the Villages tell the legend of the town's origins: according to tradition, Bolognola was founded in the 14th century by three noble Bolognese families exiled during the Guelph and Ghibelline conflicts – the Pepoli, Malvezzi, and Bentivoglio families – who settled in the upper Fiastrone valley. The Corsa della Secchia is therefore much more than a summer game: it is a lively re-enactment of this tripartite identity, in which each Village defends its local pride.

How to Win

The winner is not simply the fastest team. The result is determined by combining two factors: the running time and the amount of water remaining in the bucket at the finish line. The best coefficient between speed and conserved water is calculated, rewarding the balance between strength, agility, and composure. A formula that keeps the race uncertain until the last drop and elicits laughter and cheers from residents and vacationers alike.

An August 15th in the Mountains

The event, organized by the Pro Loco Bolognola with the support of the Municipality, is part of the mid-August festivities, when the Sibillini hamlet fills with tourists and families originally from the town returning for the holidays. Around the race, in locations like the Fonte del Piano, there are convivial moments, food stalls with the flavors of the Macerata mountains, and the genuine atmosphere of traditional village festivals in the Marche hinterland. For those visiting the Sibillini Park in the summer, it is an opportunity to experience an authentic tradition, far from the major tourist circuits.