Palio della Rivalsa
The challenge between the five districts of Bettolle, a village in Sinalunga
About Palio della Rivalsa
The Palio della Rivalsa, the pride of Bettolle
In the heart of the Sienese Val di Chiana, the village of Bettolle — part of the Municipality of Sinalunga, in the Province of Siena — celebrates its most cherished event every June: the Palio della Rivalsa. This is not a horse race like the one that made the provincial capital famous, but an original historical re-enactment defined by strength, skill, and deep district pride. Established in 1997, the Palio is now an unmissable fixture of the Tuscan summer calendar, reaching its twenty-ninth edition in 2026.
A 16th-century episode
The Palio commemorates a real event from the 16th century: the assault on the ancient fortress of Bettolle by Ascanio della Cornia, Lord of Castiglion del Lago, during one of the many military conflicts that bloodied Renaissance Tuscany. Hence the name "Rivalsa" (Retaliation), recalling the uprising of the village inhabitants. The modern challenge transforms this memory into a spectacular competition between the town's five districts.
The five districts
The five historic districts of Bettolle compete for the banner: Contrada Il Casato, Contrada Le Caselle, Contrada La Ceppa, Contrada Montemaggiore, and Contrada Il Poggio. For an entire week, the town divides into its colors, with propitiatory dinners, trials, and festive moments animating the alleys and squares.
How the competition works
The final challenge consists of two events. The first is the stretcher-bearer race: five pairs of athletes, one from each district, must complete two full laps of the historic center while carrying a stretcher with a wooden amphora on it, without dropping it. The second event is the pole climb: selected athletes must climb a greased wooden pole about five meters high and extinguish a small flame placed at the top. The district of the first climber to succeed wins the victory.
Tradition and folklore
Beyond the competition, the Palio della Rivalsa is a grand popular festival. On the evening of the final, a historical pageant with participants in 16th-century costumes, flag-wavers, and drummers parades through Piazza Garibaldi. District dinners bring hundreds of people together in an atmosphere of friendly rivalry that is the true heart of the event. Organized by the Pro Loco of Bettolle in collaboration with the Municipality of Sinalunga, the Palio is the perfect opportunity to discover the authentic soul of lesser-known Tuscany, far from the main tourist circuits.
Palio della Rivalsa — edition 2026
For its twenty-ninth edition, the Palio della Rivalsa returns to ignite Bettolle from June 15 to 21, 2026. A full week of events involving the town's five districts — Casato, Caselle, Ceppa, Montemaggiore, and Poggio — featuring technical trials, propitiatory dinners, and festive moments. The program includes the "Provaccia" (practice race), the "Palio dei Cittini" dedicated to children, the blessing of the banner, the historical costume pageant with flag-wavers and drummers, leading up to the final race on Sunday, June 21. Victory is decided between the spectacular stretcher-bearer race and the greased pole climb.
Programme Palio della Rivalsa 2026
The Palio week
The 2026 Palio della Rivalsa consists of a series of events that animate Bettolle throughout the week, including trials, district dinners, and popular tradition. Among the main announced highlights:
- "Palio dei Cittini" — the version dedicated to the children of the districts
- Provaccia — the general rehearsal that determines starting positions. Won by the Poggio district, which will start from the first position in the final
- Blessing of the banner and presentation of the palio
- Flag-wavers and drummers competition
- Historical pageant in 16th-century costume
Sunday, June 21 — Final race
At 5:30 PM, in Piazza Garibaldi, the decisive challenge between the five districts takes place: the stretcher-bearer race (two laps of the historic center with the stretcher and wooden amphora) followed by the greased pole climb. The district of the first climber to extinguish the flame at the top wins the banner.
Highlights Palio della Rivalsa 2026
Prices Palio della Rivalsa 2026
Practical information — Palio della Rivalsa
Where it takes place
The trials and the final race are held in the historic center of Bettolle, a village in Sinalunga (SI), with the heart of the event located in Piazza Garibaldi.
How to get there
Bettolle is located along the SS326 road and is easily accessible from the Bettolle-Sinalunga exit of the A1 motorway (Milan-Naples), just a few minutes from the toll booth. By train, the reference station is Sinalunga, served by the Siena-Chiusi line.
Admission
Admission to all Palio events is free.
Information
Pro Loco of Bettolle - Facebook page proloco.bettolle and website bettolle.it.
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Where does it take place — Palio della Rivalsa
Piazza Garibaldi, Bettolle
Piazza Garibaldi, 53048 Sinalunga