Palio dei Quartieri of Nocera Umbra
A week of historical re-enactment between Borgo San Martino and Porta Santa Croce
About Palio dei Quartieri
The Palio dei Quartieri of Nocera Umbra
Every year, in the first week of August, Nocera Umbra — a village perched in the upper Topino valley, in the province of Perugia — transforms into an open-air stage. The Palio dei Quartieri is the city's great identity festival: for seven days, the alleys, squares, and buildings of the historic center serve as the backdrop for a re-enactment that pits the two historic districts against each other.
Two Districts, Two Eras
The challenge is between Borgo San Martino, with yellow and blue colors, which evokes Nocera's Middle Ages (1350-1450) and extends along the right side of the city towards the acropolis, and Porta Santa Croce, with red and green colors, which brings the 19th century (1820-1920) to life along Corso Vittorio Emanuele. Each district fields its own historical pageant, with hundreds of participants in period costumes, drummers, flag-wavers, and living tableaux.
The Edition's Theme
Each edition revolves around a theme on which the two districts build their pageants, entertainment, and dinners. In 2025, the common thread was "institutional, cultural, social, and economic life"; for 2026, the chosen theme is "characters and events that have marked Nocera's social history through their presence or arrival from other places.".
Taverns, Period Dinners, and Dama Infedele
Throughout the week, the two districts' taverns remain open, offering traditional dishes and historical gastronomy. Evenings alternate between street entertainment and period dinners, while the main competition culminates in the Gioco della Dama Infedele, divided into the relay and sedan chair races. A jury also awards a Special Prize evaluating each district's pageant, setup, and period dinner.
A Community Festival
The Palio is organized by the Nuovo Ente Palio dei Quartieri and involves the entire population of Nocera Umbra, in Umbria, with preparations lasting months and popular participation that makes this re-enactment one of the most cherished summer events in the Umbrian-Marche Apennines.
Palio dei Quartieri — edition 2026
From August 3rd to 9th, 2026, Nocera Umbra will host the new edition of the Palio dei Quartieri. The 2026 theme is "characters and events that have marked Nocera's social history through their presence or arrival from other places.".
The week follows the established structure: opening proclamation in Piazza Caprera, the two historical pageants of Borgo San Martino (Middle Ages) and Porta Santa Croce (19th Century), street animations, period dinners, the district taverns open every evening, and the races of the Gioco della Dama Infedele (relay and sedan chair) which determine the winning district.
Programme Palio dei Quartieri 2026
The detailed day-by-day program for the 2026 edition will be published on the official website in the weeks preceding the event. The usual structure of the week includes:
- Opening — proclamation in Piazza Caprera and inaugural ceremony
- Historical Pageants — Borgo San Martino's procession and Porta Santa Croce's procession, starting from Piazza Umberto I
- Street Animations and Period Dinners — organized by the two districts, in the historic center
- Drummers' Performances of the two districts
- Special Prize — awarded in Piazza Caprera (pageant, setup, period dinner)
- Gioco della Dama Infedele — relay and sedan chair races, with the proclamation of the winning district
Official program: palioquartierinocera.com.
Highlights Palio dei Quartieri 2026
Prices Palio dei Quartieri 2026
Practical information — Palio dei Quartieri
How to Get There
Nocera Umbra can be reached by car from the SS3 Flaminia, Nocera Umbra exit. Nocera Umbra train station is on the Foligno-Fabriano-Ancona line. Nearest airport: Perugia San Francesco d'Assisi (approx. 40 km).
Where and When
Events take place in the historic center, with main venues in Piazza Caprera and Piazza Umberto I. The festival is traditionally held in the first week of August, in the evening.
Admission
Admission to some areas and period dinners is ticketed. For updated information, contact the Nuovo Ente Palio dei Quartieri ([email protected]).
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Where does it take place — Palio dei Quartieri
Centro storico di Nocera Umbra
Piazza Caprera 5, 06025 Nocera Umbra