Palio delle Contrade of Allumiere

The Palio delle Contrade of Allumiere

The Palio delle Contrade is the most beloved and highly anticipated event in Allumiere, a small town in the Tolfa Mountains within the Metropolitan City of Rome, in the Lazio region. Every year at the end of August, the town transforms into an open-air theatre: a spectacular bareback donkey race takes place in Piazza della Repubblica between the six town districts, in front of an enthusiastic and massive crowd.

A tradition born from alum mines

The origins of the festival date back to the early 16th century, when the Sienese entrepreneur Agostino Chigi, who managed the alum mines from which the town takes its name, brought the typical Sienese folklore to Allumiere with donkey races in the square in front of the facilities. In its modern form, the Palio has been held since 1965, traditionally on the first Sunday after August 15th, in honor of the town's patron saint, the Assumption.

The six districts

The six historic districts of Allumiere compete for the Palio, each with its own colors, jockey, and donkey:

• Burò
• Nona
• Ghetto
• Polveriera
• La Bianca
• Sant'Antonio

In the weeks leading up to the race, the districts enliven the town with the traditional Cene del Contradaiolo (district dinners), filled with songs, banter, and playful rivalries that heat up the atmosphere.

The Provaccia and the race

The Palio weekend kicks off on Saturday with the Provaccia, the general rehearsal of the donkeys on the tuff track, at the end of which the MiniPalio is also awarded in two exciting heats. On Sunday, after Mass with the blessing of the donkeys and their «punzatura» (numbering), the actual Palio takes place: an exciting and unpredictable race where the jockey's skill counts just as much as the donkey's temperament.

The 16th-century historical pageant

The scenic heart of the day is the historical procession in 16th-century costumes, involving over two hundred participants: ladies and knights, men-at-arms, jockeys, flag-wavers, trumpeters, and drummers representing the six districts. Each district also fields its own team of flag-wavers, who perform to win the coveted dedicated trophy.

The Cencio, a hand-painted prize

The prize the districts compete for is the Cencio, a banner hand-painted each year by local artists on a different theme. Its presentation, during the evocative «Night of the Cencio», officially kicks off the Palio week and is one of the most heartfelt moments for the community.

Folklore, gastronomy, and territory

Beyond the competition, the Palio is a great popular festival featuring food stalls, tastings of typical products from the Tolfa Mountains, music, and folk dances that, in the evening, liven up the square of the winning district. A perfect opportunity to discover Allumiere, its mining past, and the fascinating hilly landscape north of Rome.