Palio dell'Assunta and Historical Pageant of Paliano
The triumph of Marcantonio Colonna comes to life in the heart of Ciociaria
About Palio dell'Assunta
A city returning to the 16th century
For two weeks in August, Paliano, a hilltop village in the province of Frosinone overlooking the Sacco Valley, suspends the present. Alleys, squares, and the imposing Fortezza Colonna become the stage for the Palio dell'Assunta and Historical Pageant, a re-enactment organized by the local Cultural Association since 1997, with the first edition held in 1998. This is not merely a costume parade: it is the collective story of a community that reconstructs its most glorious era, year after year.
The history being re-enacted
Two key episodes are at the heart of the event. The first is the granting of the Statuta Terrae Paliani in 1531, the body of laws through which the Colonna family recognized the Paliano community's own governance. The second, even more spectacular, is the triumphant return of Marcantonio Colonna, Prince of Paliano and commander of the papal fleet, following the Holy League's victory in the Battle of Lepanto in 1571 against the Ottoman fleet. The entire iconography of the festival stems from that feat, from the Turkish prisoners parading under guard to the colors of the districts.
The night-time historical pageant
The most anticipated moment is the historical pageant on August 13th, which winds through the streets after sunset, illuminated by torches and braziers. Prince Colonna on horseback leads the procession, preceded by the banners of the Palio and the Principality; behind him are the noblemen and noblewomen, followed by the people represented in their trades—shepherds, farmers, millers, innkeepers, artisans, washerwomen, nurses, and maids—and finally the garrison soldiers with the prisoners. Flag-wavers, drummers, dancers, and musketeers bring the route to life, which in recent editions has featured over four hundred participants. The evening concludes with the Prince's proclamation, the gift to the Virgin, and the blessing of the banners.
The Giostra del Turco
On August 15th, the feast of the Assumption, the Giostra del Turco takes place. After the district colors are presented to the knights, the horses charge along the track while the jousters attempt to spear the greatest number of rings hanging from a target depicting the Turk defeated at Lepanto. It is a test of precision and nerves that awards the Palio banner and fuels the rivalry between the districts, both urban and rural, brought together by this very challenge.
More than just a pageant: wine cellars, taverns, and shows
A program spanning the first half of August revolves around the two main days. The district wine cellars open in the basements and courtyards of the historic center, offering traditional Ciociaria cuisine and crafts; Renaissance banquets, popular games between districts in the squares, and performances by jesters, fire-eaters, and acrobats take place, alongside history-themed exhibitions. In recent years, the re-enactment has been enriched with fireworks and video mapping projections on the facades of the center.
Part of the Estate Palianese
The Palio is the heart of the Estate Palianese, the town's summer calendar that complements the re-enactment with concerts, cabaret, astronomy festivals, and international folk reviews. The event is listed in the national repertoire of historical re-enactments by the Ministry of Culture and has received the patronage of the Lazio Region and provincial institutions over the years.
Why visit Paliano
- An authentic re-enactment, built from the ground up by the districts and not designed for mass tourism
- The natural scenery of the Fortezza Colonna and the medieval village
- One of the few horse-mounted ring-jousting tournaments in Lazio
- Ciociaria cuisine served in the district wine cellars at popular prices
- An alternative Ferragosto, less than an hour from Rome
Palio dell'Assunta — edition 2026
The 2026 Palio dell'Assunta
The Estate Palianese 2026 calendar, presented by the Municipality of Paliano, confirms the two events that form the heart of the re-enactment: the night-time historical pageant on August 13th in the historic center, featuring over four hundred participants, and the Paliano Ferragosto on August 15th, the day of the Assumption, when the traditional Giostra del Turco is held between the city's districts.
The rest of the summer program is distributed around these dates: the Latium Folkloric Festival with international folk groups on July 25th, the Carosello Festival of street artists from July 17th to 19th, the Astronomy Festival on June 27th and 28th, the cabaret evening with Dario Cassini on August 11th, and the concert by Mietta on August 14th, nestled between the two days of the Palio.
What to expect
- August 13th, evening — night-time historical pageant from the Fortezza Colonna towards Piazza Marcantonio Colonna, with flag-wavers, drummers, dancers, and musketeers; followed by the Prince's proclamation and the blessing of the banners
- August 14th — concert by Mietta and, in the tradition of the festival, the solemn procession of the Assumption
- August 15th — presentation of district colors to the knights and Giostra del Turco, a horse-mounted ring-jousting tournament
- Throughout the period: district wine cellars with traditional Ciociaria cuisine and local crafts
Detailed schedules and the full program of the edition are released by the Palio dell'Assunta and Historical Pageant Cultural Association in the weeks leading up to the event.
Programme Palio dell'Assunta 2026
Thursday, August 13th, 2026
Night-time historical pageant in the historic center of Paliano, with over 400 participants in Renaissance costumes: Prince Colonna on horseback, noblemen and noblewomen, the people in their trades, garrison soldiers, and Turkish prisoners, accompanied by flag-wavers, drummers, dancers, and musketeers. In closing, according to the festival's tradition, the Prince's proclamation, the gift to the Virgin, and the blessing of the banners.
Friday, August 14th, 2026
Concert by Mietta, the main musical event of the Estate Palianese 2026. The day also traditionally includes the holy mass in the Collegiate Church of Sant'Andrea with the solemn procession of the Assumption.
Saturday, August 15th, 2026
Paliano Ferragosto: ceremony of presenting the district colors to the knights and the Giostra del Turco, the ring-jousting tournament where knights from each district attempt to spear the greatest number of rings hanging from the target of the Turk defeated at Lepanto. The winner receives the Palio dell'Assunta banner.
Side events
District wine cellars open in the historic center with Ciociaria dishes and crafts, Renaissance banquets, popular games between districts, and history-themed exhibitions. Precise times are communicated by the organization in the days prior.
Highlights Palio dell'Assunta 2026
- Night-time historical pageant on August 13th with over 400 participants
- Giostra del Turco horse-mounted tournament on Ferragosto
- Re-enactment of Marcantonio Colonna's triumph after Lepanto (1571)
- District wine cellars with traditional Ciociaria cuisine
- Concert by Mietta on August 14th as part of the Estate Palianese
- Scenery of the Fortezza Colonna and the medieval village
Prices Palio dell'Assunta 2026
Practical information — Palio dell'Assunta
How to get there
By car from Rome: A1 motorway, exit Colleferro, then SS Casilina and provincial road to Paliano (approx. 60 km, one hour). From Frosinone: A1 motorway, exit Anagni-Fiuggi. By train: Colleferro-Segni-Paliano station on the Rome-Cassino line, then connecting bus to the center.
Parking and traffic
The historic center is closed to traffic during the event evenings: it is advisable to leave your car in the parking areas at the foot of the village and walk up.
Admission
The historical pageant and the Giostra del Turco can be watched for free along the streets and squares of the center; paid grandstands or seating may be available. The district wine cellars and Renaissance banquets charge per consumption or offer fixed-price menus.
Tips
Arrive well in advance for the pageant on August 13th, when crowds are at their peak. Wear comfortable shoes: the route includes uphill roads and cobblestones. For accommodation, in addition to the few options in Paliano, you can count on farmhouses and B&Bs in the areas of Anagni, Fiuggi, and Colleferro.
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Where does it take place — Palio dell'Assunta
Centro storico, Fortezza Colonna e Piazza Marcantonio Colonna