Giostra della Stella - Palio delle Contrade of Bagno a Ripoli
The Renaissance-style Palio that ignites the three Contrade of Bagno a Ripoli every September
About Giostra della Stella
The Palio delle Contrade of Bagno a Ripoli
The Giostra della Stella is the highlight of the Palio delle Contrade in Bagno a Ripoli, a municipality in the metropolitan city of Florence, Tuscany. Every year, on the second Sunday of September, the town transforms into a grand open-air theater where Renaissance traditions come to life with ladies, knights, flag-wavers, and musicians. It is one of the most cherished identity-defining festivals in the Florentine outskirts, engaging entire families and generations across the three historic districts.
The Three Contrade
The Palio pits the three districts that divide the territory against each other:
- Cavallo
- Mulino
- Torre
Each Contrada fields its own athletes for the traditional games and its own knight for the Giostra, competing for the drappo (banner) of the Palio, created each year by a different artist and featuring the golden lion, the symbol of the event.
The Games and Historical Pageant
The main day opens in the afternoon with Renaissance games: egg racing, tug-of-war, sack racing, hoop racing, and cart racing, where the Contrade accumulate their first points. At nightfall, the grand historical pageant comes to life with participants in period costumes, accompanied by groups of flag-wavers and musicians, crossing the town center to reach the Giardini Silvano Nano Campeggi.
The Giostra della Stella
The climax is the Giostra della Stella, the nocturnal equestrian challenge that gives the event its name: knights, riding at full gallop, must spear the star hanging from the golden lion with their swords. The score from the Giostra is added to the afternoon games to determine the winning Contrada. In the days leading up to the event, the famous Provaccia takes place, the knights' general rehearsal that is an integral part of the Palio ritual.
A Living Tradition at the Gates of Florence
Born in the late 1970s, the Palio delle Contrade of Bagno a Ripoli is now a well-established event, recognized among Tuscany's historical re-enactments and traditional games. Located just a few kilometers from Florence, it is the perfect opportunity to discover an authentic corner of Tuscany, far from the main tourist crowds, where the community gathers around the colors of their respective Contrade.
Giostra della Stella — edition 2026
The 2026 edition of the Giostra della Stella - Palio delle Contrade of Bagno a Ripoli is confirmed for Sunday, September 13, 2026, in line with the tradition that sets the event on the second Sunday of September. The Provaccia, the knights' general rehearsal, is scheduled for Thursday, September 10, 2026.
The three Contrade Cavallo, Mulino, and Torre will compete for the banner in the afternoon traditional games, the evening historical pageant, and the nocturnal Giostra della Stella. The detailed program for the Palio week, including times and events, will be announced by the organization in the weeks leading up to the event.
Programme Giostra della Stella 2026
The detailed program for the 2026 edition, including daily schedules and Palio week events, will be published by the organization closer to the event. The usual structure of the event includes:
- Thursday, September 10 — Provaccia: knights' general rehearsal.
- Previous days — opening aperitif, general rehearsal of the historical pageant, and collective dinner with the presentation of the Palio.
- Sunday, September 13, afternoon — Renaissance games between the Contrade: egg racing, tug-of-war, sack racing, hoop racing, and cart racing.
- Sunday, September 13, evening — historical pageant in period costumes with flag-wavers and musicians, followed by the Giostra della Stella, the nocturnal equestrian challenge.
The names of the knights and the artist behind the 2026 banner will be announced by the organization.
Highlights Giostra della Stella 2026
- Provaccia of the knights (Thursday, September 10, 2026)
- Renaissance games between the Cavallo, Mulino, and Torre Contrade
- Evening historical pageant with flag-wavers and musicians
- Giostra della Stella, the nocturnal equestrian challenge that gives the Palio its name
Prices Giostra della Stella 2026
Practical information — Giostra della Stella
Location
The event takes place in Bagno a Ripoli (FI), at the Giardini Silvano Nano Campeggi at the Ponti, along Via Roma.
How to get there
Bagno a Ripoli is just a few kilometers from the center of Florence and is connected by suburban buses. By car, it is easily reached via the SS67 and the Florentine suburban road network; during the days of the Palio, traffic changes are expected, and Via Roma will be closed during the event hours.
When
The Giostra della Stella is held on the second Sunday of September, with the Provaccia taking place in the preceding days. Admission to the games and the pageant is free.
Contacts
Association headquarters at Via Roma 124, Bagno a Ripoli. Information is available on the official website and the social media channels of the Giostra della Stella.
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Where does it take place — Giostra della Stella
Giardini Silvano Nano Campeggi ai Ponti
Giardini Silvano Nano Campeggi, Via Roma, 50012 Bagno a Ripoli