Palio del Capitano di Castello

A dive into the Middle Ages on the Romagna Riviera

The Palio del Capitano di Castello is the most cherished historical re-enactment in the Municipality of Misano Adriatico, a seaside resort on the Romagna Riviera in the province of Rimini, in Emilia-Romagna. For a few days in August, the streets and squares of the town transform into a medieval village: period costumes, historical parades, encampments, and ancient crafts take residents and tourists back in time, far from the summer atmosphere of the beaches, to rediscover the deepest roots of the territory.

A festival born from the territory's history

The event was born in 2011, the year Misano celebrated five hundred years of its legal autonomy from San Clemente. From that anniversary, a re-enactment took shape which, as the organizers recall, combines memory, tradition, and a sense of belonging. The name itself, dedicated to the Capitano di Castello (Captain of the Castle), recalls the figures and events that have marked the history of this community overlooking the Adriatic.

The nine competing districts

The heart of the festival is the challenge between the districts, which represent the different hamlets and realities of the municipal territory. Competing for the Palio are nine districts: Belvedere, Misano Brasile, La Cella, Santa Monica, Misano Monte, Misano Mare, Portoverde, Scacciano, and Villaggio Argentina. The competition takes place through a series of point-based games, divided by age groups, involving children, teenagers, and adults in an atmosphere of healthy rivalry and great popular participation.

Medieval shows and atmospheres

Alongside the competition between the districts, the program offers a rich calendar of shows that liven up the evenings. Among the usual performers are the flag-wavers, the drummers, the falconers with their bird of prey flight demonstrations, the fire-eaters and jugglers, as well as historical dances and entertainment moments designed for families and children. There are also food stalls run by the District Committees, where you can taste the flavors of Romagna tradition.

The return in August 2026

After several years of interruption, the Palio del Capitano di Castello is ready to return in August 2026 thanks to the initiative of the Comitato di Frazione di Misano Monte APS (Misano Monte District Committee APS), which has brought together all the district committees of the Municipality of Misano Adriatico around the project with the support of the municipal administration. The novelty of this edition is the direct involvement of children and teenagers, called to actively participate in the games and to experience the magic of the re-enactment firsthand. The exact dates and detailed program will be announced by the organizers in the weeks preceding the event.