Palio di San Pietro of Abbiategrasso

The Palio of the Ticino Town

In Abbiategrasso, in the Metropolitan City of Milan, the Palio di San Pietro is the event that ignites the most heartfelt rivalry each year: the one between the districts. Organized by the Association Friends of the Palio di San Pietro with the patronage of the city, it is a historical re-enactment that culminates in a horse race, following the tradition of palios that spans the entire peninsula.

The Six Districts

The competitive heart of the event are the six districts that vie for the palio: Gallo, Legnano, Nuova Primavera Cervia, Piattina, San Rocco, and Sforza. Each district has its own colours, its own supporters, and a jockey who races for its inhabitants. The Gallo district is the current titleholder, having won in the previous edition.

Historical Pageant and Race

The day follows a tried-and-tested and evocative script:

• In the afternoon, the historical pageant in costume departs from the Visconti Castle and crosses the city centre
• Flag-throwers, ladies, knights, and participants bring the streets of Abbiategrasso to life
• The horse race takes place at the Fiera district, on Via Ticino
• The winning district claims the palio amidst the cheers of its colours

A Living Tradition

The Palio di San Pietro is much more than a race: it is a year of work for the districts, of costume preparation, of practice, and of anticipation. For Abbiategrasso, it represents a moment of strong identity, in which the community recognises itself in its roots and its history, in the shadow of the Visconti Castle and just a stone's throw from the Ticino Park.