Palio di San Rocco Donkey Race
The donkey race of the four districts in the Croatian-Molise village
About Palio di San Rocco
A very special palio in Mundimitar
Montemitro, Mundimitar in the local dialect, is one of the municipalities of the Croatian-Molise linguistic minority in the province of Campobasso. Here, the Palio di San Rocco, celebrated during Ferragosto, has a unique characteristic: instead of horses, the protagonists of the race are donkeys.
The challenge of the four districts
The four districts of the town — Castello, Piazza, Sant'Angelo, and Tre Croci — each decorate their donkey with the colours of their district and compete in the race held at the municipal sports field. It is a festival that mixes irony, community spirit, and devotion to the saint, capable of attracting emigrants and many who have ties to the Croatian town of Makarska, twinned with Montemitro.
The spaghetti meal that unites the town
After the race, the entire community gathers for a gigantic spaghetti aglio e olio meal in via Makarska, a convivial moment that closes the day. The Palio di San Rocco is one of the most cherished events of Mundimitar's summer, rooted in the village's Slavic identity.
Palio di San Rocco — edition 2026
The 2026 edition of the Palio di San Rocco takes place on Ferragosto, August 16, in Montemitro. The four districts of the Croatian-Molise village — Castello, Piazza, Sant'Angelo, and Tre Croci — decorate their donkeys with the colours of their district for the race at the municipal sports field. Afterwards, the entire community gathers for the traditional spaghetti aglio e olio meal in via Makarska.
Programme Palio di San Rocco 2026
August 16 — Ferragosto in Mundimitar
- Donkey race of the four districts (Castello, Piazza, Sant'Angelo, Tre Croci) at the municipal sports field
- Proclamation of the winning district
- Gigantic spaghetti aglio e olio meal in via Makarska, open to the entire community
- Celebrations in honour of San Rocco
Highlights Palio di San Rocco 2026
The race of donkeys decorated in the colours of the districts and the community spaghetti meal.
Prices Palio di San Rocco 2026
Practical information — Palio di San Rocco
How to get there
Montemitro can be reached by car, travelling up the Trigno valley from the Adriatic coast (exit Vasto Sud or Termoli from the A14). The race takes place at the municipal sports field.
When
During Ferragosto.
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Where does it take place — Palio di San Rocco
Campo sportivo comunale