Palio dei Rioni of Quarrata

The Palio dei Rioni, the sporting soul of Quarrata

The Palio dei Rioni of Quarrata is the event that best captures the spirit of this town in the Province of Pistoia, in the heart of Tuscany. For nearly two months, from early June to late July, the Municipality of Quarrata transforms into a grand arena where the eight historic districts compete for the prestigious Cencio, the painted banner awarded to the winning neighborhood.

The eight competing districts

The Quarrata area is divided into eight districts, each with its own symbol, colors, and a passionate community of supporters. Competing for the Palio are:

• Drago
• Giraffa
• Istrice
• Leone
• Lupa
• Orso
• Pantera
• Puma

District membership is a powerful element of identity, lived with pride by entire families and passed down from generation to generation.

The sporting disciplines

Unlike the medieval Tuscan palios linked to horse racing, the Palio of Quarrata is a modern, multidisciplinary competition that tests athletes of all ages. The districts compete in numerous specialties: football (with tournaments for senior, youth, and beginner categories), basketball (with youth categories), cycling, running, and the burraco tournament, the famous card game. The matches take place in the town's sports facilities and squares, involving local sports clubs from the area.

A recent but deeply felt tradition

Established in 2013, the Palio dei Rioni of Quarrata has quickly become the most anticipated summer event for the local population, successfully blending sporting competition with social life and community festivities. Evenings spent in the square amidst cheering, district dinners, and convivial moments strengthen the community's bond with its roots and neighborhood.

From the opening dinner to the presentation of the Cencio

The event traditionally opens with the grand District Dinner in Piazza Risorgimento and concludes, after weeks of challenges, with the solemn awards ceremony and the presentation of the Cencio to the district that has accumulated the most points. Between these two milestones lies a packed calendar of events that animate the summer in Quarrata and throughout central Tuscany.