Giostra all'Incontro - Cesena Palio
The historical re-enactment and medieval equestrian palio of Cesena
About Giostra all'Incontro
A unique joust in the world
The Giostra all'Incontro, also known as the Palio di Cesena, is one of the most fascinating historical re-enactments in Emilia-Romagna. It takes place every year in September in the heart of Cesena, in the province of Forlì-Cesena, and brings the city back to the Renaissance era with a week of events culminating in the equestrian challenge between knights in armor. The event celebrates an ancient tradition: in 1465, Pope Paul II granted Cesena a perpetual privilege that institutionalized the joust as an annual event, making it, according to historical sources, the last official joust in the world before its interruption in 1838 and its subsequent revival as a re-enactment.
Piazza del Popolo and the Rocca Malatestiana
The heart of the Giostra is Piazza del Popolo, the historic square where the contest took place in past centuries and where the final challenge is still held today. The spectacular Rocca Malatestiana serves as a backdrop for evening shows, conferences, and, in recent editions, a charming medieval village designed as an immersive experience between history and gastronomy. For days, the urban center is populated by flag-wavers, musicians, ladies, and knights, with historical parades and moments of Renaissance life meticulously reconstructed.
The districts and the knights' challenge
The competitive core of the event is the palio, contested by the city's districts—including Centro Urbano, Borello, Cesuola, and Cervese Sud—each paired with a knight by drawing lots. The knights face each other in a test of equestrian skill, with ring and jousting challenges, in front of a crowd filling the square. The palio banner is an artwork created specifically each year, often entrusted to young artists from the Cesena area.
A celebration for the entire city
The Giostra all'Incontro is not just a competition; it's a popular festival involving associations, districts, and the entire community of Cesena. Propitiatory banquets, workshops, historical walks, theatrical performances, and conferences accompany the days leading up to the joust, making the event a journey back in time accessible to families, historical re-enactment enthusiasts, and tourists. It is one of the most cherished events in the calendar of jousts and palios in Italy.
Giostra all'Incontro — edition 2026
The Giostra all'Incontro 2026 takes place in Cesena from September 5 to 13 and marks a turning point. The Associazione Giostra di Cesena A.p.S. will directly manage the palio with an open registration formula: a specific call for applications will allow the best Italian and international knights, possessing specific requirements, to apply to compete on the Cesena track. The second major innovation is the medieval village at the Rocca Malatestiana, created in collaboration with the management of the Rocca to offer an immersive experience between history and gastronomy.
The usual structure is confirmed, with the city's districts paired with knights by drawing lots, preliminary rounds, and the final joust in Piazza del Popolo. The detailed program, including historical parades, banquets, theatrical performances, and conferences, will be announced in the months preceding the event.
Programme Giostra all'Incontro 2026
The 2026 edition will be held from September 5 to 13. Two major innovations have been announced:
- Open registration Palio — an official call will allow the best Italian and international knights, with specific requirements, to apply to compete on the Cesena track.
- Medieval village at the Rocca Malatestiana — an immersive experience between history and gastronomy.
As tradition dictates, the week will include historical parades, propitiatory banquets with the jousters, theatrical performances, conferences, and the final equestrian challenge in Piazza del Popolo, with the city's districts paired with knights by drawing lots.
The complete program, with dates and times day by day, will be announced by the organization in the months preceding the event.
Highlights Giostra all'Incontro 2026
- Open registration Palio for Italian and international knights (major 2026 innovation)
- Medieval village at the Rocca Malatestiana
- Final equestrian challenge in Piazza del Popolo
- Historical parades, banquets, and shows in the center of Cesena
Prices Giostra all'Incontro 2026
Practical information — Giostra all'Incontro
Where
The heart of the event is Piazza del Popolo, in the historic center of Cesena (Forlì-Cesena, Emilia-Romagna). Shows and activities also take place at the Rocca Malatestiana and in various spaces within the urban center.
How to get there
By train: Cesena station is on the Bologna-Rimini line, a few minutes' walk from the historic center. By car: take the Cesena exit from the A14 motorway, then follow signs for the center (parking available nearby).
Admission
Access to the events in the square and the joust is traditionally free. It's advisable to arrive early to secure a good position along the jousting lane.
Festival-goer photos
No photos yet. Share yours!
Share your photos
5 photos max, 5 MB per photo (JPG, PNG, WebP)
Noticed an error or missing information?
Help us keep this listing up to date. Every proposal is verified by our team before publication.
Festival-goer reviews
No rating yet — be the first!
No comments yet. Be the first!
Were you there?
Share your experience with the community.
Where does it take place — Giostra all'Incontro
Piazza del Popolo
Piazza del Popolo, 47521 Cesena