San Valentino Palio

The San Valentino Palio, the soul of Bientina

In the heart of the Valdera, in Bientina (province of Pisa), the San Valentino Palio is much more than just a horse race: it is a defining festival that, every year on the third Sunday of July, ignites the local pride of the town's nine districts. The setting is Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II, in the historic center of the municipality, transformed for the occasion into a circular track where jockeys vie for the prestigious cencio.

Origins and history

The roots of the event run deep: the first document attesting to the existence of a palio in Bientina dates back to May 25, 1786. The modern version we know today was established in 1993, making the 2026 event the 34th edition. While the first races were held on a sports field, the central square has served as the natural stage for the event since 2001, creating an atmosphere that recalls, on a local scale, the great Tuscan palios like the one in Siena.

The nine districts

The competition is fought between the nine districts into which the town is ideally divided: Centro Storico, Guerrazzi, Il Cilecchio, Il Puntone, Il Villaggio, La Forra, Quattro Strade, Santa Colomba, and Viarella. Each district has its own colors, supporters, and history of victories recorded in the golden book, and for the entire week, the town divides itself into a healthy rivalry of dinners, processions, and songs.

How the race works

The race mechanism is simple and spectacular. The starter calls the nine districts, divided by draw into two heats (one of five teams and one of four). The top two from each heat advance to the final, which awards the Palio after three laps of the square. It is a crescendo of tension that culminates in a few adrenaline-filled moments, under the eyes of an entire community.

A week of celebration

The Palio is not limited to the race day alone: the days leading up to it are marked by traditional events such as the musicians' and flag-wavers' competition, the presentation of the cencio, the parade of the participating districts, and the final rehearsals. The event is part of the rich Estate Bientinese calendar, a festival that brings the town to life from late May to September with concerts, theatrical performances, themed parties, and excursions. The San Valentino Palio is organized by the "Bientina e il Suo Palio" Association with the support of the Municipality of Bientina, in this authentic corner of the Pisan province and Tuscany.