Women's Palio Marinaro of Castiglione della Pescaia

The Women's Palio Marinaro of Castiglione della Pescaia

The Women's Palio Marinaro is one of the most heartfelt events in the rowing season of Castiglione della Pescaia, a pearl of the Maremma in the Province of Grosseto, Tuscany. The event features the rowers of the five city districts competing in a regatta held in the waters off the harbor, finishing inside the canal that cuts through the historic center. Established in 1997, the Women's Palio has become a highly anticipated event that gives the women of the districts their moment of glory in the local rowing tradition.

The five competing districts

As with all Palio races, the victory is contested by the five historic districts of the village:

• Portaccia
• Piazza
• Castello
• Marina
• Ponte Giorgini

Each boat is crewed by four rowers and a coxswain. The boats race across the sea for about two kilometers before the final sprint into the canal, where the crowd gathered on the quays turns the finish into a crescendo of enthusiasm.

A centuries-old maritime tradition

The origins of the Palio Marinaro date back to the early 1950s, when local fishermen competed to see who could return to port first with the day's catch. The competition, also inspired by the famous Palio of Porto Santo Stefano, evolved over time: the senior Assunta race in August was joined by the Youth Palio (since 1978) and, from 1997, the Women's Palio. Since 2009, the regattas have been held at sea rather than along the Bruna River.

The 2026 edition

The 27th edition of the Women's Palio Marinaro is scheduled for Sunday, July 19, 2026, at 7:00 PM. The race symbolically opens the season's peak weekend, the day after the Youth Palio (Saturday, July 18). The week leading up to the regattas is marked by side events: the presentation of the crews (July 9) and the inauguration of the Palio Marinaro Exhibition in the Town Council Hall (July 17).

Atmosphere and context

Attending the Palio means immersing yourself in the most authentic identity of Castiglione della Pescaia: the colors of the districts, the chants of the fans on the quays, the boats appearing on the horizon, and the thrill of the final sprint into the canal, in the shadow of the medieval walls and the Aragonese Castle. A free, open-air event that combines sport, popular tradition, and community celebration in one of Tuscany's most beloved seaside towns.