What makes our Italy unique? The stupendous landscapes, its artistic and historical richness, but above all its folklore.
From north to south, the beautiful country is rich in popular and religious traditions that embellish our cultural heritage. Among these, one stands out in particular for its suggestive scenography: the Palio delle Contrade di Vigevano .
Feast of the territory, but above all feast of the people, this very particular tradition gathers the entire town and attracts the attention of tourists from all over, eager to immerse themselves in a late-medieval atmosphere, between sublime gastronomy and popular games.
The history of the palio
The Palio delle Contrade of Vigevano was born in the early 80s , from the commitment of a group of young people from Vigevano led by Msgr. Don Stefano Cerri . The primary intent was to honor the Blessed Matteo Carreri, protector of the city, and at the same time involve the city population in a playful-recreational event that could revitalize a local reality poor in cultural proposals.
The first edition of the Palio therefore took place on the evening of 11 October 1981, the day of the feast of Blessed Matteo.
On that occasion the nine historical districts of Vigevano challenged each other (each combined with one of the city churches), in a particular race with medieval costumes.
Given the success of the first edition, the event was re-proposed in the following years, becoming more and more accurate in the clothes and choreography.
Today, after more than 30 years, the Palio is an institution that involves over 500 players , including musicians and standard bearers of the “ONDA SFORZESCA”, dancers of the “IL BIANCOFIORE” group, and jugglers of the “AURORA NOCTIS” school.
The event is proposed in two different periods: the Palio dei Fanciulli is held in May, while that of the Contrade is held in October.
The Contradas
In the beginning there were nine historical districts, each linked to one of the parish groups of the city. To these were added three others later. These contend for the victory of the rag , a particular banner depicting the Blessed Matteo Carreri. Over time, even the rags have become more and more cared for, and today they are real works, the result of the commitment and stylistic research of well-known artists of the area. Below is the list of Contrade:
- Bronzone,
- Cicerino,
- It costs,
- Griona,
- Merchants,
- Predalate,
- Strata,
- Saint martin,
- Valley,
- Castle,
- Counted,
- Saints Crispino and Crispiniano.
The games of the palio
- Quince tree
The aim of the game is to throw ribbons into containers placed on top of a stylized tree, trying to score the best score. This game is linked to the legend of the birth of the Sforzesca dynasty, according to which Muzio degli Attendoli, founder of the same, challenged fate by throwing a hoe on a tree: if she had fallen to the ground, she would have continued to be a farmer, if she had been entangled. between the branches, he would become a soldier. This legend says that the hoe got entangled and Muzio became a leader known for his strength, to the point of earning the nickname of “Sforza”. - Wheelbarrow Race
This is a re-enactment of a game of ancient origins and consists of a race with wheelbarrows loaded with wooden logs. - Racing circles
This game also has its origins in past ages. In this case, young girls challenge each other by pushing a circle using a wooden stick, along an obstacle course. - Construction of the Tower :
During this game, the participants of the various districts must reconstruct a model of the Torre del Bramante, symbol of Vigevano, and ring the bell as quickly as possible.
Roll of honor
- 1981, Contrada of Bronzone
- 1982, Contrada di Cicerino
- 1983, Contrada of Predalata
- 1984, Contrada of Merchants
- 1985, Contrada di Valle
- 1986, Contrada di Griona
- 1987, Not awarded
- 1988, Contrada di Valle
- 1989, Contrada di Valle
- 1990, Contrada di Griona
- 1991, Contrada di Valle
- 1992, Contrada dei Santi Crispino and Crispiniano
- 1993, Contrada di Griona
- 1994, Contrada di Strata
- 1995, Contrada di Valle
- 1996, Contrada di Griona
- 1997, Contrada di Valle
- 1998, Contrada dei Santi Crispino and Crispiniano
- 1999, Contrada dei Santi Crispino and Crispiniano
- 2000, Contrada di Valle
- 2001, Contrada dei Santi Crispino and Crispiniano
- 2002, Contrada dei Santi Crispino and Crispiniano
- 2003, Contrada di Cicerino
- 2004, Contrada dei Santi Crispino and Crispiniano
- 2005, Contrada di Valle
- 2006, Contrada dei Santi Crispino and Crispiniano
- 2007, Contrada di Cicerino
- 2008, Contrada di Cicerino
- 2009, Contrada di Griona
- 2010, Contrada di Griona
- 2011, Contrada dei Santi Crispino and Crispiniano
- 2012, Contrada di Costa
- 2013, Contrada di Costa
- 2014, Contrada di Costa
- 2015, Contrada dei Santi Crispino and Crispiniano
- 2016, Contrada di Valle
- 2017, Contrada dei Santi Crispino and Crispiniano
- 2018, Contrada dei Santi Crispino and Crispiniano
Activities and Program 2019
Over time the event has grown exponentially. Today the traditional games are interspersed with music, dance and juggling shows , but also with rich Renaissance and late medieval banquets , thanks to the commitment of the districts intent on preparing typical dishes. More information on the program below:
Palio of Children
- Saturday 11 May 2019
From 16.30 to 23.00 in Castello Sforzesco : Renaissance village with workshops for children, tastings and shows.
From 7.30 pm in Castello Sforzesco : Dinner at the Renaissance Tavern.
From 9.30 pm in Castello Sforzesco : Sforza Night, a great show of dances, flags, music and fire. - Sunday 12 May 2019
From 10.00 to sunset in Castello Sforzesco : Renaissance village with workshops for children, tastings and shows
At 11.30 in Castello Sforzesco : Holy Mass in the field celebrated by the parish priest of the Contrada winner of the Palio dei Children 2018.
From 12.30 in Castello Sforzesco : Lunch at the Renaissance Tavern.
At 4.30 pm from Castello Sforzesco : departure of the Historical Parade of the Contrade which will wind through the streets of the historic center.
At 5.00 pm in Castello Sforzesco : Oath of the Castellano and carrying out of the games for the assignment of the Palio dei Fanciulli.
Palio delle Contrade
- Friday 11 October 2019
From 8.45 pm from the churchyard of the Duomo : Torchlight procession followed by Holy Mass and gift of the candle to Blessed Matteo Carreri in the Church of San Pietro Martire. - Saturday 12 October 2019
From 17.00 to 23.00 in Castello Sforzesco : Borgo delle corporazioni with tastes, flavors of the Sforza era and various shows.
From 7.30 pm in Castello Sforzesco : Dinner at the Renaissance Tavern.
From 9.30 pm in Castello Sforzesco: Sforza Night, a great show of dances, flags, music and fire. - Sunday 13 October 2019
From 10.00 to sunset in Castello Sforzesco : Borgo delle corporazioni with tastes, flavors of the Sforza era and various shows.
At 10.45 in San Petro Martire : Solemn Pontifical in honor of Blessed Matteo Carreri, presided over by the Bishop of Vigevano, HE Maurizio Gervasoni.
From 12.30 in Castello Sforzesco : Lunch at the Renaissance Tavern.
At 3.00 pm in Castello Sforzesco : Solemn blessing of the Contrade and the twelve banners by the Parish Priest of the Contrada of San Crispino and Crispiniano, winner of the Palio delle Contrade 2018. Following reading of the challenge notices and opening of the Palio Games 2019 . (entrance ticket € 2.00 excluding children under 10)
At 3.30 pm from Castello Sforzesco : departure of the Historical Parade of the Contrade which will wind through the streets of the historic center.
At 4.30 pm in Castello Sforzesco : Play of the games for the assignment of the XXXIX Palio delle Contrade - Monday 14 October 2019
At 18.30 in San Pietro Martire : Mass of thanksgiving of the Contrade to Blessed Matteo Carreri, with the particular participation of the Contrada winner of the Palio delle Contrade 2019.
