Palio del Viccio

A unique equestrian joust in Puglia

The Palio del Viccio is the most iconic event in Palo del Colle, a town in the Metropolitan City of Bari, Puglia. It is a unique equestrian joust held on Shrove Tuesday to mark the end of Carnival: riders, one for each district, ride standing upright on their steeds up the incline of Corso Garibaldi. Armed with a sharp lance, they attempt to burst a water-filled bladder (the "vescica") suspended high above. The first to pierce the bladder wins the viccio, a free-range turkey.

Historical origins: the Sforza family and Auricarro

The tradition has its roots in 1477, when Duke Sforza established a horse breeding farm at the nearby defensive post of Auricarro. Legend has it that during the Duke's visit, the officials of the Auricarro defense wanted to showcase the quality of their horse training with equestrian skill tests. Some sources even trace the event back to Roman equestrian games mentioned by Pliny the Elder. Over time, the turkey replaced the rooster as the prize, embodying the spirit of the grain and linking the festival to the agricultural cycles of the Apulian land.

The Bona Sforza historical pageant

The modern Palio is enhanced by a grand historical pageant dedicated to Bona Sforza, which parades in the days leading up to Shrove Tuesday, followed by masked groups and allegorical floats created by local schools, associations, and districts. Historical re-enactment, folklore, and Carnival thus merge into one great community celebration.

The competing districts

The heart of the event is the challenge between the districts of Palo del Colle, whose riders train for months. Among the most famous is the San Vito district. Alongside the main competition, the Baby Palio and Mini Palio are held for children, passing the tradition on to new generations.

A festival that unites the town

For several days, Palo del Colle lives to the rhythm of the Palio: rider presentations, "Waiting for the Palio" evenings, the Scacco del Colle (a living chess match in Piazza Santa Croce), the grand Carnival parade, street performers, DJ sets, food areas, and concerts. The event is broadcast by local media and attracts thousands of visitors from across the Bari province, confirming its status as one of the most evocative Carnival re-enactments in Puglia.