Palio delle Contrade of San Secondo Parmense
The Renaissance re-enactment of the Rossi-Gonzaga wedding and the Quintana Joust
About Palio delle Contrade
A dive into the Parmesan Renaissance
The Palio delle Contrade of San Secondo Parmense is one of the most beloved historical re-enactments in the province of Parma, in Emilia-Romagna. Revived in its current form since 1990, the event commemorates the lavish ceremonies of 1523, when Count Pier Maria III de' Rossi married Camilla Gonzaga, daughter of Giovanni Gonzaga of Vescovato and cousin of the future Duke of Mantua Federico II. For a few days, the Municipality of San Secondo Parmense transforms into a Renaissance court: decorated streets, adorned houses, ladies and knights in costume, banquets and libations culminating in the dispute of the Pallium Sancti Secundi.
The Six Districts
The heart of the festival are the six districts of the village, which compete with pride and a sense of belonging:
- Bureg di Minén
- Castell'Aicardi
- Dragonda
- Grillo
- Prevostura
- Trinità
Each district hosts its own pre-race dinners, invests its District Lords, and prepares its knight for the final challenge.
The Quintana Joust
The most anticipated moment is the Giostra della Quintana, the equestrian competition where the knights of the six districts compete for the painted banner, created each year by young local artists. The joust is preceded by the solemn historical pageant with the Court of the Rossi, the blessing of horses, knights, and the Palio at the church of San Secondo, and performances by musicians and flag-wavers who, for several editions, have competed in a dedicated contest.
The Rocca dei Rossi
The setting for the event is the magnificent Rocca dei Rossi, a Renaissance fortress that dominates the center of San Secondo Parmense and still houses artistic testimonies from the time of the Rossi family. Together with the Pieve di San Genesio, the Rocca tells the story of a family that profoundly marked the Parma territory between the Middle Ages and the Renaissance.
An event for the whole family
With re-enactments, district games, fire shows, Renaissance banquets, and the excitement of the joust, the Palio delle Contrade is an engaging festival for visitors of all ages, capable of recreating the atmosphere of a 16th-century court in the heart of the Bassa Parmense.
Palio delle Contrade — edition 2026
Palio delle Contrade 2026 — 36th Edition
The 36th edition took place between late May and early June 2026. Saturday, May 30, in Piazza della Rocca, the presentation of the Palio and artistic parchments, the investiture of the field supervisor, and the drawing of lots for the races took place, along with the competition between the musicians' and flag-wavers' groups of the districts.
On Friday, June 5, district dinners, investitures of District Lords, and district games were held, followed by a fire show. Saturday, June 6, starting in the afternoon, featured official knight practice sessions with veterinary checks and, in the evening, the re-enactment of the arrival of the bride and groom Camilla Gonzaga and Pier Maria de' Rossi with a parade through the village streets.
On Sunday, June 7, the morning was dedicated to free practice and the blessing of horses, knights, and the Palio at the church of San Secondo; at 4:45 PM, the historical pageant with the Court of the Rossi began, and at 6:30 PM, the Quintana Joust was held among the six districts.
Programme Palio delle Contrade 2026
2026 Program
- Saturday, May 30 — Piazza della Rocca: presentation of the Palio and parchments, investiture of the field supervisor, drawing of lots for the races, competition of musicians and flag-wavers.
- Friday, June 5 — District dinners, investiture of District Lords, district games, fire show.
- Saturday, June 6 — from 2:00 PM official knight practice sessions and veterinary checks; from 8:00 PM historical re-enactment of the arrival of the bride and groom Camilla Gonzaga and Pier Maria de' Rossi with parade, investitures, and district dinners.
- Sunday, June 7 — free practice in the morning; 11:30 AM blessing of horses, knights, and the Palio; 4:45 PM historical pageant with the Court of the Rossi; 6:30 PM Quintana Joust.
Highlights Palio delle Contrade 2026
- 36th edition dedicated to the 500th anniversary of the death of Giovanni dalle Bande Nere
- Historical pageant with the Court of the Rossi and over one hundred costumed participants
- Horseback Quintana Joust among the six districts
- Competition of musicians and flag-wavers in Piazza della Rocca
- Pre-race dinners and Renaissance banquets in the districts
Prices Palio delle Contrade 2026
Practical information — Palio delle Contrade
How to get there
San Secondo Parmense is located in the Bassa Parmense, about 25 km from Parma. By car: from the A1 motorway, take the Fidenza or Parma exit, then provincial roads towards San Secondo. By train: Parma station, then bus connections to San Secondo Parmense.
Where and when
Events take place in the historic center, in Piazza della Rocca, and in the village streets; the Giostra della Quintana is held in the arena set up for the occasion. The event takes place in the first days of June.
Admission
Parades, re-enactments, and public events are free to attend. For banquets, district dinners, and possible grandstand seats, a contribution or reservation may be required: it is advisable to check the details on the official website and social media channels of the Palio delle Contrade Association.
Contacts
Associazione Palio delle Contrade di San Secondo Parmense, Piazza Mazzini 12 — email: [email protected].
Festival-goer photos
No photos yet. Share yours!
Share your photos
5 photos max, 5 MB per photo (JPG, PNG, WebP)
Noticed an error or missing information?
Help us keep this listing up to date. Every proposal is verified by our team before publication.
Festival-goer reviews
No rating yet — be the first!
No comments yet. Be the first!
Were you there?
Share your experience with the community.
Where does it take place — Palio delle Contrade
Rocca dei Rossi
Piazza Mazzini 12, 43017 San Secondo Parmense