Palio dei Borgia
Nepi returns to the Renaissance: three weekends of challenges between the four districts in the city of Lucrezia Borgia
About Palio dei Borgia
A city returning to the time of Lucrezia Borgia
The Palio dei Borgia is the great identity-defining festival of Nepi, a municipality in the province of Viterbo, in the heart of the Tuscia region and the Lazio Region. Every year in June, the tuff-stone village overlooking the gorges transforms into a Renaissance stage: flags at the windows, torch-lit workshops, period costumes, and the roll of drums accompanying processions along the streets of the historic center.
The event, established in 1995, commemorates the historical bond between Nepi and the Borgia family: in 1499, Pope Alexander VI granted the Duchy of Nepi to his daughter Lucrezia Borgia, who resided there and served as its lady. It is from that page of history that the imagery of the entire festival is born, from the costumes and ceremonies to the evocative Rocca dei Borgia, a fortress that still hosts performances and theatrical tours today.
The four districts
The competitive heart of the Palio is the challenge between the four town districts, which spend weeks preparing sets, processions, and athletes:
- San Biagio
- Santa Croce
- Santa Maria
- La Rocca
Each district fields its own knights, archers, ladies, flag-wavers, and musicians, and manages its own tavern. At the end of the event, the winning district receives the Drappo (banner), painted each year by a different artist: in 2025, the palio went to La Rocca, with the work signed by Rita Sargenti.
Challenges and highlights
- Historical Procession: hundreds of participants in Renaissance attire cross the village, with the offering of candles and the handing over of the city keys.
- Archers' Joust: a historical archery competition between the districts, with qualifying rounds and a final.
- Knights' Joust: the equestrian competition that decides much of the score, the most anticipated moment of the entire festival.
- Traditional Games: tests of strength, skill, and teamwork in the town squares.
- Historical fencing and processions of drummers and flag-wavers.
Taverns, theater, and culture
From Friday to Sunday, throughout the duration of the event, the district taverns open their doors with traditional dishes from Nepi and the Tuscia region. Alongside the challenges, there is a full cultural program: historical conferences on the Borgias and the Renaissance, exhibitions, theatrical visits to the Rocca, fire shows in the squares, and concerts.
In 2026, for the thirtieth anniversary, the program was enriched with two new features: the theater festival «Sipari di Lucrezia», five performances hosted at the Rocca dei Borgia, and «Harmonica», a national festival of historical drums that brought percussion groups from all over Italy to Nepi.
Why it's worth the trip
More than just a costumed re-enactment, the Palio dei Borgia is a collective ritual that involves the entire Nepi community for months. Visitors will find an authentic, non-touristy village with the Rocca, the Cathedral, the aqueduct, and the gorges providing a natural backdrop—plus the opportunity to combine the visit with other jewels of the Tuscia, from Civita Castellana to Sutri, and even Lake Bracciano slightly further south.
Palio dei Borgia — edition 2026
Thirty years of Palio
The 2026 edition, the thirtieth, was the richest ever. The commemorative banner was created by Romano Ciarlimbruschi, the same artist who signed the first palio in 1995: a tribute desired by the Ente Palio dei Borgia, led by rector Simona Benedetti, to ideally close the circle of thirty years.
The celebrations started on May 30 with the propitiatory dinner at the L'Acquedotto Cultural Center, before getting into full swing on June 5, with the blessing of the banner and the official opening. The taverns of the four districts welcomed the public from Friday to Sunday during all three weekends: June 5-7, 12-14, and 19-21.
The challenges
The historical procession with the offering of candles and the handing over of the city keys opened the calendar on June 6; the archers' tournament was held on June 14, while the Knights' Joust, the decisive test of the Palio, took place on June 20. The closing ceremony, with the final procession and the delivery of the banner to the winning district, was held on Sunday, June 21.
The two novelties
The «Sipari di Lucrezia» festival brought five theatrical performances of different genres to the spaces of the Rocca dei Borgia (ticket 10 euros, reduced 5 euros). «Harmonica — National Festival of Historical Drums» brought together groups of drummers and clarion players from all over Italy in Nepi, with performances and processions in the historic center.
Programme Palio dei Borgia 2026
Prologue
- Saturday, May 30 — Propitiatory dinner at the L'Acquedotto Cultural Center
First weekend (June 5-7)
- Friday, June 5 — Official opening, blessing of the 2026 banner, first appointment of the «Sipari di Lucrezia» theater festival; opening of the district taverns
- Saturday, June 6 — Historical procession through the streets of the center, offering of candles, and handing over of the city keys
- Sunday, June 7 — Taverns open, entertainment, and district shows
Second weekend (June 12-14)
- Friday, June 12 and Saturday, June 13 — «Harmonica», National Festival of Historical Drums, with groups from all over Italy
- Sunday, June 14 — Archers' Joust: qualifying rounds and final between the four districts
Third weekend (June 19-21)
- Friday, June 19 — Evening shows, taverns, and district life
- Saturday, June 20 — Knights' Joust, the most anticipated equestrian competition of the Palio
- Sunday, June 21 — Closing ceremony, final procession, and delivery of the banner to the winning district
Theater performances of the «Sipari di Lucrezia» festival distributed over the three weeks at the Rocca dei Borgia. Taverns open from Friday to Sunday during all three weekends.
Highlights Palio dei Borgia 2026
- 30th edition: thirty years of Palio dei Borgia
- Commemorative banner signed by Romano Ciarlimbruschi, author of the first palio in 1995
- Historical procession with offering of candles and handing over of keys (June 6)
- Archers' Joust (June 14) and Knights' Joust (June 20)
- New: «Sipari di Lucrezia» theater festival at the Rocca dei Borgia
- New: «Harmonica», national festival of historical drums (June 12-13)
- Taverns of the four districts with Nepi cuisine, from Friday to Sunday
Prices Palio dei Borgia 2026
Practical information — Palio dei Borgia
How to get there
Nepi is located about 45 km from Rome and 30 km from Viterbo. By car: via Cassia bis (SS2 bis) exit Nepi-Castel Sant'Elia, or the Orte-Viterbo expressway. By train: Civita Castellana station on the Rome-Viterbo railway, then bus connection. Cotral bus from Rome Saxa Rubra.
Admission and prices
Historical processions, jousts, and traditional games have free admission. Performances of the «Sipari di Lucrezia» theater festival are ticketed (10 euros full price, 5 euros reduced). The district taverns offer affordable prices.
Tips
The historic center is pedestrianized during events: it is best to leave the car in the outer parking lots and continue on foot. Wear comfortable shoes for the cobblestones. For the Knights' Joust and the Historical Procession, it is best to arrive well in advance to find a spot.
Information
Ente Palio dei Borgia, Piazza del Duomo 2, 01036 Nepi (VT) — [email protected] — www.paliodeiborgianepi.it
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Where does it take place — Palio dei Borgia
Centro storico di Nepi e Rocca dei Borgia
Piazza del Duomo 2, 01036 Nepi