Palio dei Colombi
The medieval jousting tournament of the five districts of Amelia
About Palio dei Colombi
Amelia returns to the Middle Ages
The Palio dei Colombi is the most important historical event in Amelia, an ancient Umbrian city in the province of Terni surrounded by some of the oldest polygonal walls in Italy. Every summer the village transforms into a 14th-century city: for two weeks the streets, squares and buildings of the historic center host costume parades, banquets, taverns and competitions, culminating in the grand finale of the Palio itself.
The five districts and the joust
The reenactment is inspired by the Statutes of the People of 1346, which divided the city into five districts: Collis, Crux Burgi (or Burgus), Platea, Posterola and Vallis. The districts compete in a medieval jousting tournament on horseback and in crossbow shooting competitions. The Palio dei Colombi is one of the few jousts in Italy to have maintained direct confrontation between knights, as happened in the Middle Ages. The victory is symbolically marked by the release of a dove, from which the event takes its name.
A festival for the whole city
With about 600 costumed participants, the Palio involves the entire community of Amelia. The weeks of reenactment include the opening of the five districts' taverns, where traditional dishes can be enjoyed, the Children's Parade and Palio, the days dedicated to each district, performances by musicians and flag-wavers, the investiture of the horse, knight and crossbowman, culminating in the Magna Historica Processio and the grand final historical parade that crosses the center to the competition field.
Palio dei Colombi — edition 2026
The 2026 edition of the Palio dei Colombi opens on July 18 with the press conference, challenge banquet, and presentation of the 2026 banner, and culminates on Sunday, August 9, with the final joust between Amelia's five districts. Between these two dates, over three weeks of events transport the Umbrian city back to the 14th century, with the opening of the taverns, days dedicated to each district, and official trials for knights and crossbowmen.
Programme Palio dei Colombi 2026
Saturday, July 18 — Opening
- Press conference, challenge banquet, and presentation of the 2026 banner
Sunday, July 19
- Medieval tournament
July 20–24 — District Corner
- July 20: Platea — July 21: Posterola — July 22: Vallis — July 23: Crux Burgi — July 24: Collis
Saturday, July 25
- Opening of the 5 districts' taverns
- Children's Parade and Palio
July 26
- Feast of Saint Anne — Platea District
July 27
- Popular youth games
July 28
- District Day
July 29
- "Mogol tells Mogol"
July 30
- Investiture of horse, knight, and crossbowman
July 31
- Performance by the districts' musicians
August 1–2
- "Amelia in the Middle Ages"
August 3 and 5
- Official Palio trials (horses and knights)
August 6
- Official crossbowmen trials
August 7
- Arrival of the Podestà and oath ceremony
August 8
- Magna Historica Processio
Sunday, August 9 — Palio dei Colombi 2026
- Grand historical parade and final joust between the five districts
Highlights Palio dei Colombi 2026
Prices Palio dei Colombi 2026
Practical information — Palio dei Colombi
How to get there
Amelia can be reached by car from the Orte-Terni highway; the nearest train station is Orte (Rome-Florence line), connected by bus. Events take place in the historic center and in the competition field on Viale dei Giardini.
Information
Ente Palio dei Colombi, tel. +39 0744 981189. The district taverns open on the days of the reenactment; many events are free admission.
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Where does it take place — Palio dei Colombi
Centro storico di Amelia