Festa Patronale e Palio del Marenghin

A festival that tells the story of Candia Lomellina

In the heart of Lomellina, amidst the rice paddies and fields of the province of Pavia, the Municipality of Candia Lomellina celebrates its most cherished festival every autumn. The Patronal Festival of the Blessed Virgin of the Rosary falls on the first Sunday of October and the following Monday, and for some years now it has been enriched by an event that has captivated young and old alike: the Palio del Marenghin.

Five districts, one legend

Born in 2015, the Palio divides the town into five historic districts — Burgratè, Maestrìn, Peschierànt, Sancarlìn, and Terasìn — which compete for the banner with challenges and tests of skill. The inhabitants wear 17th-century costumes and stage the legend of a young local peasant girl who, during the Spanish rule, had the courage to rebel against the occupiers and was condemned to death. It is a dive into the Lombard 17th century that restores identity and memory to a village that has made tradition its pride.

Between faith and folklore

The religious component remains the core of the festival: the procession and celebrations in honour of the Blessed Virgin of the Rosary mark the weekend. Around this, the town comes alive with the parade of the districts, street food, evening concerts, and the charity stall open throughout the event. There is also the Palio dei bambini (Children's Palio), a miniature version of the challenge that involves the youngest.

An event to experience in Lomellina

The Palio del Marenghin is a perfect opportunity to discover Candia Lomellina and the Pavia area of Lomellina, a land of rice paddies, farmhouses, and river cuisine. The event, organised by the Palio Committee with the support of the Municipality, is entirely free and attracts visitors from all over the province of Pavia.