Palio Madama Margarita

A dive into the 16th century in the Monti Tiburtini

The Palio Madama Margarita is the most cherished traditional event in Castel Madama, a village in the Province of Rome overlooking the Aniene Valley, in the heart of the Tiburtine Lazio region. For a few days in July, the streets of the historic centre are adorned with period colours, sounds, and scents, meticulously recreating the settings, costumes, and crafts of the Italian Renaissance. It is a festival of identity that involves the entire community and attracts visitors from Rome, Tivoli, and the surrounding valley.

History: Margaret of Austria and the 1538 fiefdom

The re-enactment, established in 1982, commemorates the entry of Madama Margaret of Austria into her fiefdom. As the illegitimate daughter of Emperor Charles V, Margaret received possession of the castle in 1538, the ancient Castrum Sancti Angeli, which took the name she still bears today: Castel Madama. The Palio retraces that founding moment with philological rigour, restoring the atmosphere of a 16th-century court.

The four competing districts

The competitive heart of the event is the contest between the four districts into which the town is divided, each with its own boundaries, colours, and emblem:

• Borgo
• Castelluccio
• Empolitano
• Santa Maria della Vittoria

The districts vie for the Palio banner through several trials: the decoration of the streets, judged for its Renaissance authenticity, the historical procession, and the Horse Joust, which determines the winning district. In the 2025 edition, the triumph went to the Castelluccio district.

Processions, oaths, and the Horse Joust

The programme alternates between spectacular moments and solemn rituals: scenes of ancient life and crafts that bring the alleys to life, the historical procession with the handing over of the keys, the oaths of the Massari and Knights, and the blessing of the banner. The highlight is the Horse Joust, a test of equestrian skill held in an open field, featuring jousts and speed races between the district knights. The ceremony concludes with the awards and a community celebration.

An event to experience in the Tiburtine Lazio

Located less than 40 kilometres from Rome, Castel Madama is easily accessible and offers, during the days of the Palio, district taverns, music, and crafts in addition to the spectacle of the re-enactment. It is an ideal opportunity to discover an authentic village in the Monti Tiburtini and a tradition that, generation after generation, keeps the memory of Madama Margaret alive.