Palio del Ciuccio Donkey Race

The donkey race in the heart of Cilento

The Palio del Ciuccio is one of the longest-running folk festivals in the Cilento region, held annually in mid-August in Cuccaro Vetere. This small village of just over five hundred inhabitants is perched at an altitude of 630 meters in the province of Salerno, Campania. The Municipality of Cuccaro Vetere is part of the Cilento, Vallo di Diano and Alburni National Park, and for three days, it transforms its historic center into an open-air stage dedicated to the rural world of a century ago.

The absolute star is the ciuccio, or donkey: the true engine of the Cilento peasant economy until the post-WWII era, when it was the animal that carried chestnuts, wood, grain, and water along the steep mountain paths. The Palio was created specifically to restore the donkey to its rightful place in collective memory.

From the San Pietro races to the 1983 revival

The origins of the race date back to the early 20th century, when donkeys raced through the village streets during the feast of Saint Peter the Apostle. The tradition was interrupted by rural depopulation and the decline of the peasant lifestyle. In 1983, a group of locals decided to revive it with a dual goal: to promote the territory and protect the donkey, which was then at risk of disappearing from Cilento stables. That gamble has led to over forty editions, culminating in the 44th scheduled for August 2026.

The race: bareback donkey riding in Piazza Valiante

The competitive heart of the festival is the donkey speed race, ridden strictly bareback—without a saddle—by jockeys from invited municipal delegations, who parade with their banners. The race takes place in Piazza Valiante and is one of the most entertaining events of the Cilento summer: donkeys are not easy animals to control, and missed starts, sudden detours, and stubborn refusals are just as much a part of the show as the finish line itself.

Alongside the main event, there is also the Palio dei Piccoli, a version reserved for children, which opens the festivities and involves families from the village and neighboring towns.

The historical peasant civilization parade

On the evening before the race, the village comes alive with dozens of participants in period costumes: this is the historical peasant civilization parade, which carefully reconstructs scenes of daily life in the Cilento of the early 1900s. The parade features re-enactments of chestnut and olive harvesting, work at the village fountain, bridal dowries, farm tools, and animals, all accompanied by accordions and tambourines. Various editions have also featured flag-wavers and trombonieri (musketeers), as well as theatrical moments dedicated to peasant culture and emigration.

Ancient craft workshops, flavors, and donkey milk

During the evenings, the historic center comes alive with a widespread route that is now an integral part of the event:

• ancient craft workshops, with live demonstrations by artisans and traditional trades;
• stalls featuring typical products of the Cilento: extra virgin olive oil, cheeses, figs, cured meats, bread, and traditional sweets;
• tastings of donkey milk, rediscovered for its properties and presented as a modern symbol of a breeding tradition that the Palio has helped save;
• folk music and performances in the square until late at night;
• games and activities for children.

The « Le Città del Palio » Award

For several years, the event has opened with the « Le Città del Palio » award, a recognition given to Italian figures from the worlds of culture, justice, entertainment, and civil engagement. The opening night thus becomes a moment for public discussion, often dedicated to themes dear to the region, such as the UNESCO Mediterranean Diet and the Cilento Villages of Longevity.

Cuccaro Vetere, a village to discover

The name of the village is said to derive from the Greek cocheros, meaning "hilltop," indicating its dominant position over the valley. The historic center preserves stone alleys and panoramic views of the inner Cilento; its proximity to Vallo della Lucania, Mount Gelbison, and the coast between Palinuro and Ascea makes the Palio the ideal occasion for a few days' stay in the heart of the Park. The event is promoted by the Municipality of Cuccaro Vetere together with the Youth Forum and the Pro Loco Cuccaro Vetere.