Palio of Casole d'Elsa

A countryside Palio in the heart of the Val d'Elsa

In the medieval village of Casole d'Elsa, in the province of Siena, the Palio is much more than just a race: it is the very identity of the community. Every year, on the second Sunday of July, the town's contrade compete in a bareback horse race to honor Saint Isidore, the patron saint of the fields, celebrated in this corner of the Tuscan countryside. It is one of the most deeply felt re-enactments in the Terre di Siena, painting the streets of the historic center in shades of orange, blue, red, and black for weeks on end.

Origins and revival

The roots of the Palio stretch back to the mid-19th century, when the traditional horse race took place at the end of the festivities dedicated to Saint Isidore. The first official Palio dates back to 1871. After a hiatus in the 1960s due to rural depopulation, the event was revived in 1976 thanks to the dedication of the local community and has since grown into the most anticipated event of the year in Casole.

The seven contrade

The competitive and social heart of the Palio lies in the contrade, which animate the town's life throughout the year and find their ultimate expression in the race. Today, there are seven:

• Casole Campagna (orange)
• Cavallano (white and green)
• Il Merlo (white and black)
• Monteguidi (white and yellow)
• Pievalle (yellow and red)
• Rivellino (red and black)
• Pievescola (blue), which returned to the competition in 2024

How the race unfolds

The challenge spans two days. On the Saturday before, the qualifying heats are drawn, followed by the qualifying races and the pairing of horses with the six contrade admitted to the final. On Sunday morning, the festivities open with a solemn mass in honor of Saint Isidore; in the afternoon, in front of the Collegiate Church of Santa Maria Assunta in Piazza della Libertà, the evocative blessing of the horses and jockeys takes place, a ritual that precedes the race.

The competition is held on an uphill dirt track, a feature that makes the Palio of Casole particularly challenging and spectacular for both horses and jockeys. The winning contrada claims the drappellone—the banner painted each year by a different artist—and kicks off days of celebrations.

The 150th edition in 2026

2026 marks a historic milestone: the 150th edition of the Palio of Casole d'Elsa. The commemorative banner has been entrusted to the artist Silvia Springorum, selected through a public competition and officially confirmed by municipal resolution. For Casole d'Elsa, a Tuscan town nestled in the hills of the Val d'Elsa, it is an opportunity to renew a tradition that has united faith, rural memory, and a passion for horses for generations.