Palio dell'Oca di Cagli

The Palio dell'Oca, Cagli's Renaissance soul

In the heart of the province of Pesaro and Urbino, among the hills rising towards the Apennines, the Renaissance village of Cagli experiences its most anticipated moment every summer: the Palio dell'Oca. It is one of the most cherished historical re-enactments in the Marche region, capable of transforming the entire city into an open-air stage where the colours, sounds, and atmospheres of the 16th century come to life for two weekends in August.

Four districts, a centuries-old challenge

The protagonists of the Palio are the four historic districts of Cagli, each with its own colours and identity:

• Sant'Agostino (pink and black)
• Sant'Andrea (yellow and blue)
• Sant'Angelo (red and blue)
• San Francesco (red and green)

The districts compete for the banner through an exciting living goose game, a human version of the famous board game that has been played since 2002 in the Arena di Sant'Emidio, the true "Field of Mars" for the event. The board consists of 54 squares depicting arts, crafts, and characters of the Marche Renaissance: the goal is to reach square number 54, which depicts San Geronzio, the city's patron saint, with his symbols, the cherub, and the white goose.

Skill tests and duels

The movement of the pieces is determined by dice rolls and skill tests undertaken by the district representatives: horse races, crossbow and archery competitions, sack races, and ring toss. Between one square and the next, there are duels and plot twists that can overturn the outcome of the contest until the very last roll, keeping the audience on the edge of their seats.

The historical procession and taverns

The most spectacular moment is the grand historical procession, with over four hundred participants - according to chronicles, up to 450 - in precious 16th-century Renaissance attire, including the Duke of Urbino with the podestà and officials, which winds through the streets of the centre to the Arena. During the evenings, the village comes alive with the districts' taverns, where you can taste handmade pasta, grilled meats, Renaissance desserts, and local wines. The heart of the festival is the tavern in Piazza Niccolò IV, better known as Piazza del Teatro.

A tradition between history and memory

The roots of the Palio run deep: as early as 1543, the Cagli historian Antonio Gucci mentioned the goose game among the pastimes practiced in Cagli. The modern event was established in 1987 and traditionally takes place on the second Sunday of August. Since 2003, the Paliotto, a version reserved for children aged 10 to 14, has also been held. Organized by the Associazione Giochi Storici di Cagli, the Palio dell'Oca is now an unmissable event for those who want to discover the authentic Renaissance tradition of the Municipality of Cagli and the Marche hinterland.