Days of the Slap and Palio of Saint Magnus

Anagni returns to the Middle Ages

The Days of the Slap and Palio of Saint Magnus is the grand historical re-enactment with which Anagni, in the province of Frosinone, in the heart of the Lazio region's Ciociaria, closes the summer in early September. For an entire weekend, the historic center of the City of Popes transforms into a 13th-century village, featuring costume parades, traveling theatrical performances, and the neighborhood challenge for the Palio dedicated to the patron saint, Saint Magnus.

The 1303 Slap of Anagni

The event commemorates the 'Outrage of Anagni,' the episode on September 7, 1303, that deeply marked the history of the Church and Europe. The men of Sciarra Colonna and the envoy of King Philip the Fair of France, William of Nogaret, broke into the palace of Pope Boniface VIII, the Anagni-born pontiff of the powerful Caetani family. According to tradition, the Pope was insulted with a slap, a gesture that remains famous as a symbol of the clash between papal power and national monarchies. Anagni, birthplace of four popes, still preserves the Palace of Boniface VIII and the remnants of that stone-carved Middle Ages.

The Palio of Saint Magnus

The competitive heart of the festival is the Palio of Saint Magnus, the historic ring joust held at Porta Cerere. The city's neighborhoods face off in a test of skill that ignites the crowd, followed by celebrations for the winning district. It is a moment of strong community identity, where devotion to the patron saint and neighborhood pride merge into one great celebration.

A program of history and spectacle

• Traveling performance 'The Outrage of the Slap – Caetani District 1303' at the Palace of Boniface VIII, including a visit to the Caetani District and local wine tasting;
• Historical parade in period costumes, marching from the evocative Piazza Innocenzo III;
• Palio of Saint Magnus, the ring joust at Porta Cerere with the celebration of the winning district;
• Guided tours of the historic center and the monuments of the City of Popes, organized by the Pro Loco.

Faith, history, and community

More than just a show, the event unites faith, history, and identity: the memory of the medieval episode intertwines with popular devotion to Saint Magnus, the patron saint of Anagni. Walking through the illuminated medieval alleys, hearing the roll of the parade drums, and witnessing the neighborhood joust is the best way to discover one of the most fascinating art cities in Lazio, a guardian of a thousand-year history.