Corsa della Torta

A centuries-old tradition in the heart of the Novara region

The Corsa della Torta is the signature event of Oleggio, a town in the Province of Novara, Piedmont. It is a foot race with ancient roots, still held on Easter Sunday (formerly on Easter Monday) and transformed in 1970 into an authentic Palio by a group of citizens dedicated to preserving local traditions. Since then, the race has become much more than a simple sporting competition: it is a grand town festival that unites the entire community.

Legend and history

The origins of the Corsa della Torta are lost between history and legend. The event is mentioned among the town's privileges as early as the 14th century and, according to documents, dates back to 1378, when Gian Galeazzo Visconti granted Oleggio as a fief to Manfredi Barbavara. There are two main theories regarding the event's birth: the first points to late antiquity, when barbarian soldiers, unable to break the resistance of the besieged Oleggesi, challenged the town's youth to a race; the second refers to the 14th-century legend of the Pirin of San Donato and the Easter pastries that became a symbol of the city. The 'torta' (cake), a traditional carnival and Easter pastry, gives the competition its name.

Districts and cantons in competition

The competitive heart of the event is the challenge between the eight local districts: the four quartieri of Portetta, Valle, Pozzolo, and Porta Compietra, and the four cantoni of Loreto, San Giovanni, Bedisco, and Fornaci. On Easter Sunday, the districts parade through the city center before facing off along the traditional route that ends in Piazza Martiri della Libertà. The historical pageant, featuring over four hundred participants in Renaissance costumes, is one of the most evocative spectacles in the Piedmontese calendar.

A festival looking to the future

While rooted in centuries of history, the Corsa della Torta knows how to innovate: the 2026 edition marked a historic turning point with the debut of the Women's Palio, which equaled the women's challenge to the men's in prestige and tradition. It is an event that brings generations together in Oleggio, from the children running the youth palio to the adults of the districts, in an atmosphere of healthy rivalry and deep community pride.