Giostra dei Rioni - Palio di San Francesco

The Giostra dei Rioni of Avetrana

The Giostra dei Rioni - Palio di San Francesco is the premier historical re-enactment in Avetrana, a village in northern Salento in the province of Taranto, Puglia. Established in 1989 by the Giostra dei Rioni San Francesco d'Assisi Association, it transforms the historic center and Piazza Vittorio Veneto every summer into an open-air theater set between the late Middle Ages and the early Renaissance, complete with period costumes, drummers, flag-wavers, and performers.

The challenge between the four districts

At the heart of the event is the rivalry between the four districts into which the town is traditionally divided: Castello, Saraceno, San Francesco, and San Martino. Over several evenings, the teams face off in traditional games of strength and skill—from tug-of-war to agility trials—to win the Palio, the banner awarded to the winning district. Each neighborhood parades with its own colors and standards in a vibrant display of costumes that captivates both young and old.

The legend of Chria and the Pagano family

The re-enactment is rooted in a fascinating local legend: that of Chria, a local inhabitant who converted to the Turkish faith and, according to tradition, planned to sack his hometown by landing with Saracen galleys on January 1st, 1547. This narrow escape is celebrated annually in the final historical pageant, which recreates the court of the Pagano family, the baronial dynasty that ruled Avetrana between the 15th and 16th centuries, featuring the figure of Prince Galeotto Mario Pagano and a lavish noble banquet.

A recognized heritage

The Giostra dei Rioni is cataloged by the Historical Re-enactments Project of the Central Institute for Intangible Heritage (ICPI) of the Ministry of Culture, a testament to the event's cultural and identity value for the Avetrana community. Alongside the competitions, the evenings offer tastings of typical Salento products at food stands, as well as music and folk dance performances, creating a festive atmosphere that draws crowds from across the province of Taranto and the nearby Salento region.

When it takes place

The Giostra dei Rioni is traditionally held in the first half of August, featuring four evenings of games and processions. The dates for the 2026 edition have not yet been announced by the organizing association. Admission to the events in the square is free.