Palio degli Zoccoli

A challenge that comes from the Middle Ages

The Palio degli Zoccoli is the great historical festival of Desio (province of Monza and Brianza). The event commemorates the Battle of Desio of January 21, 1277, a decisive clash in which Ottone Visconti defeated Napo Torriani, marking the beginning of the long Visconti lordship over Milan. In 2026, the Palio reaches its 36th edition.

The 11 contrade and the historical procession

The protagonists of the festival are the 11 contrade into which the city is ideally divided. Each contrada stages ladies, knights, soldiers, hunters, peasants, friars, and scribes, creating an impressive historical procession that winds through the streets of the center. The parade concludes with the protagonists of the battle: the defeated Napo Torriani, imprisoned in a cage pulled by oxen, and the victorious Ottone Visconti on horseback.

The clog race

The most anticipated moment is the relay race with wooden clogs, a test of skill and speed that pits the 11 contrade against each other for the conquest of the Palio. It is from this unique race that the event takes its name, recalling the popular footwear of the past. The tension of the competition, the colors of the banners, and the cheering of the contrade make the day a true community event.

Brianza identity and tradition

More than just a reenactment, the Palio degli Zoccoli is an event of identity that each year draws history enthusiasts, families, and visitors to Desio. Organized by the Comitato Palio degli Zoccoli, it enhances the city's historical heritage and the local pride that animates the contrade.