Palio del Casale

The Palio del Casale in Cicciano

In the heart of the Nola area, the Palio del Casale is the most iconic event of the municipality of Cicciano, in the province of Naples, Campania. Every year in mid-May, the streets of the historic center fill with colors, costumes, and drums to host one of the most original re-enactments in Southern Italy: the national donkey race, featuring delegations from 19 different Italian regions.

The origins: remembering 1768

The tradition is rooted in an episode from 1768, when the community of Cicciano celebrated its liberation from the tyranny of nearby Nola. According to local lore, a dispute between the youth of the neighboring hamlets was resolved with a unique donkey race, which over time became a symbol of celebration and redemption. This event birthed the spirit of the Palio, which still blends historical memory, rustic humor, and local pride today.

How the race works

The donkeys race along a circuit that winds through the streets of the historic center, watched by thousands of spectators. The qualifying races between local districts are held on Sunday morning to determine which donkey will represent Campania in the grand national final in the afternoon, where all 19 regions compete for the title in an atmosphere of great excitement.

Historical pageant and folklore

A central highlight of the festival is the historical pageant, featuring hundreds of participants in traditional costumes representing the competing regions. The jockey investiture ceremony, the exchange of gifts between delegations, and folk dances complete a program that weaves together re-enactment, entertainment, and conviviality.

Gastronomy and musical evenings

The Palio is also a celebration of taste: the food stalls offer local specialties, from grilled sausage to friarielli, pasta e fagioli, and fried seafood platters, as well as desserts like sfogliatelle, zeppole, and babà. Evenings conclude with live music, DJ sets, and the now-famous outdoor Palio Summer Night, while the Palio Kids Zone offers entertainment and close encounters with the donkeys for the little ones.

An event of identity

Having grown well beyond regional borders, the Palio del Casale is now a national event that brings jockeys and delegations from all over the peninsula to Cicciano. For the town, it represents an opportunity to rediscover its roots and open its historic center to an ever-wider audience, in a weekend that unites popular tradition, sports, and community celebration.