Palio di San Ginesio – Palio della Pacca (Medievalia)

The Palio di San Ginesio and Medievalia

Perched at over 680 meters above sea level in the Sibillini Mountains, San Ginesio (province of Macerata, in the Marche region) is one of the Most Beautiful Villages in Italy, enclosed by a 14th-century wall that earned it the nickname "Balcony of the Sibillini". Every year, in the days leading up to Ferragosto (August 15th), the town transforms into a 14th-century city with Medievalia, the historical reenactment week that culminates in the Palio della Pacca, one of the most cherished equestrian jousts in the Macerata hinterland.

Historical Roots: The Fornarina and the Siege of 1377

The Palio reenacts the military events of November 3, 1377, when Fermo's troops attempted to capture the castle of San Ginesio through deception. According to tradition, it was a baker woman, remembered in history as La Fornarina, who raised the alarm and thwarted the attack, saving the village. From this episode originates the Battaglia della Fornarina (Battle of the Baker Woman), which symbolically opens the event and introduces the days of competitions and celebrations.

The Four Gates and the Competitions

The four historic districts, identified by the ancient city gates, compete for the banner: Porta Alvaneto, Porta Ascarana, Porta Offuna, and Porta Picena. The champions, knights and amazons, compete in a series of medieval skill tests:

• Archery
• Crossbow shooting
• Sword race
• Ring Joust (Quintana)
• The Pacca Challenge

The Pacca is the main event: the name refers to the ancient prize, a half-pig ("pacca" of pork) awarded to the knight who could hit the Saracen's shield with his lance. In the final scoring, the Pacca points are worth double, and the Gate with the highest score in the various competitions wins.

Atmosphere and Entertainment

Throughout the week, the historic center is filled with taverns where you can taste traditional dishes, historical parades with hundreds of participants in late-medieval costumes, flag throwers, musicians, fire shows, falconry, acrobatics, and street theater. Piazza Alberico Gentili becomes the pulsating heart of the evenings, with ancient music and reenactments, while the equestrian competitions take place at the Campo del Palio. Historical conferences, guided tours, and themed dinners complete a program that blends spectacle and identity memory.

An Event in the Marche

Included in the calendar of major historical reenactments in the Marche region, the Palio di San Ginesio attracts visitors from all over the region and beyond each year, offering one of the most authentic experiences to discover the culture, traditions, and flavors of the Macerata hinterland.