Palio di Mozzate

The Palio dei rioni of Mozzate

In the north of the Province of Como, bordering the Varese and northern Milanese areas, Mozzate cherishes a tradition that draws the entire community every year: the Palio di Mozzate. The event, organized in the first two weeks of September, is linked to the patronal feast of Sant'Alessandro, the town's patron saint, and pits the town's districts against each other in a competition of parades, games, and a sense of belonging.

Historical Parades and Ceremonies

The opening of the Palio is a moment of great atmosphere: the historical costume parade reaches the church of Sant'Alessandro, where mass is celebrated and the brazier is lit on the churchyard. This is followed by the oath of the captains, the elders, and the jury president, and an evening concert at the oratory. It is the prelude to the days of challenge between the districts, who compete in trials and games to win the Cencio, the painted banner that an artist creates specifically each year.

The Competing Districts

Historically, four districts animate the Palio: La Torre, Mornera, Bozzente, and Solaro. Each fields costumed participants, teams, and supporters, in a climate of healthy rivalry that involves the entire town. The event, which in 2025 reaches its 23rd edition, combines the religious dimension of the patronal feast with the civil and folkloric aspect of the palio, accompanied by food stalls and evening events.

For Mozzate, the Palio is much more than a competition: it is a moment when the neighborhoods come together, generations meet, and the town's identity is renewed around its patron saint.