PaGlio Ragliante

When donkeys fly over Monferrato

In the heart of the Asti Monferrato, the town of Calliano Monferrato (province of Asti, Piedmont) preserves one of the area's most ironic and beloved traditions: the PaGlio Ragliante. The name is not a typo: the capital 'G' reminds us that here, rather than galloping, they bray—and quite loudly. It is, in fact, a donkey race, a good-natured and irreverent parody of the ancient Palio di Asti.

A parody born in 1969

The event dates back to 1969, when some locals decided to playfully poke fun at the return of the prestigious Palio di Asti, which had resumed in 1968 after a long hiatus imposed since the Fascist era. From that prank, a true local institution was born, one that has spanned decades and united the town around its ten districts.

The ten competing districts

The heart of the challenge lies in the ten districts and villages of Calliano Monferrato: Pietra-Pirenta, Courtin, Cristo, Barriera di Casale, Vicinale, San Rocco, Piazza, San Michele, Perrona, and San Desiderio. Each district fields its own donkey, guided by two handlers. The qualifying heats lead to the final in a festive, participatory atmosphere where the unpredictability of the donkeys is part of the show itself.

Historical parade and town festival

Before the race, the town streets come alive with a historical costume parade, accompanied by a marching band and flag-wavers from Asti. The municipal arena, renamed Piazza del Palio, becomes the stage where it is decided which district will claim the coveted trophy. In recent years, the event has expanded to a full weekend, featuring propitiatory dinners under the heated marquee in Piazza Marconi, aperitifs, shows, and activities for children.

An unmissable autumn appointment

Included among the events of the UNESCO World Heritage Wine Landscapes, the PaGlio Ragliante is much more than a race: it is a way to experience the Monferrato autumn, with its wine, local products, and that sense of community that only town festivals can offer. If you are looking for an authentic experience far from the major tourist circuits, Calliano Monferrato awaits you.