Palio delle Barche

A unique race on Lake Trasimeno

The Palio delle Barche is the historical re-enactment that every year, since 1984, enlivens Passignano sul Trasimeno, a village on the lake in the province of Perugia. The event takes place partly in the historic centre and partly on the waters of the lake, and is considered one of the most original and spectacular re-enactments in Umbria.

The story: the 1495 escape

The event commemorates the end of hostilities between the Perugia families of the Baglioni and the Oddi. In 1495 Passignano found itself at the centre of military operations: the Oddi, besieged in the castle and pursued by the militias of the Baglioni and Della Corgna families, tried to escape by crossing the lake, carrying their boats on their shoulders towards the islands, without success. The re-enactment is based on a 1664 source, "Della Historia di Perugia" by Pompeo Pellini, which describes the siege of the castle and the escape via the lake.

The four districts and the race

The four districts correspond to the areas into which the town is divided: Centro Storico, Centro Due, Oliveto, and San Donato. Each district uses two boats: a white boat for the water race and a wooden-coloured boat to be carried on shoulders while running through the alleys. The competition is divided into three phases: the first and third on the water, the second on land with the boats carried on shoulders along the narrow streets of the historic centre.

A festival of costume and community

Throughout the week, the lakeside village comes alive with historical costume parades, shows, district competitions, and the district taverns, set up at the Giardini del Pidocchietto, where you can taste local specialities in a lively atmosphere. The Palio delle Barche is an identity event that involves the entire community of Passignano and attracts numerous visitors to the shores of Lake Trasimeno every year.