Palio of San Lorenzo 2024

Everything is now ready in Borgo San Lorenzo for the Palio, one of the most anticipated and beloved events in the Mugello, organized to celebrate the city's patron saint on August 10th. This tradition, which dates back to the early 1900s, was revived in 2015 and has grown tremendously since then.

A HISTORICAL EVENT

The Palio already existed at the beginning of the 20th century and involved the four districts of the historic centre. The event included horse races, parades, foot races, and culinary competitions. Over the years, unfortunately, the tradition was lost, and by the 1990s, only a grease pole challenge was organized.

In 2015, the Palio was relaunched by the local tourist office and the municipal administration, with the aim of reviving and promoting forgotten traditions. Since then, the event has grown significantly, expanding from just 3 districts and 30 participants in 2015 to over 200 players and eight districts.

Today, Borgo San Lorenzo hosts a Palio that rivals other major events in Tuscany, thanks in large part to the valuable support of the many volunteers who help organize it.

THE DISTRICTS

The 2024 Palio will take place in Piazza Dante, as it was the previous year, with the eight districts competing with increasingly well-prepared teams. Here are the participating districts, each with its own flag color:

• Rione Faltona (the “oranges”)
• Rione Santa Lucia (the “yellows”)
• Rione Sagginale (the “greens”)
• Rione Ronta-Panicaglia (the “pinks”)
• Rione Villa Pecori (the “blacks”)
• Rione Stazione (the “maroons”)
• Rione Zeti Crocifisso (the “blues”)
• Rione Olmi Salaiole (the “purples”)

THE GAMES

The events and challenges will begin on Saturday, August 3rd, and Sunday, August 4th in Piazza Dante with two days of preliminary rounds: the eight districts will compete for a place in the final on August 10th by facing off in four traditional games:

1) Tiro alla Rulla (Cheese Rolling): A very simple game originating in the Italian countryside after World War II: the goal is to roll a 3 kg wheel of cheese as far as possible, using a hook along the side and a leather strap wrapped around it.

2) Tiro alla Fune (Tug of War): One of the most popular and engaging competitions of the Palio. Two teams, representing different districts, pull on a long rope with the aim of dragging the opposing team over a designated line. The team that succeeds in pulling the other team across the line wins the round.

3) Corsa dei Carretti (Cart Race): A test of speed and skill. Each district competes with a team consisting of drivers and pushers: the drivers sit on the cart and guide it along a predetermined route, while the pushers help the cart gain speed by running and pushing it. The cart that completes the route in the shortest time wins. The carts are often handcrafted by participants, using simple materials like wood and metal. Each district can uniquely decorate its cart, making it distinctive and unmistakable.

4) Corsa della Rotoballa (Hay Bale Roll): A test of strength, endurance, and coordination. The hay bales are large cylindrical bales of hay or straw, commonly used in agriculture. For the race, these are often decorated or marked with the colors and symbols of the different districts. The hay bale must be pushed or rolled along a route without external help and without using tools to aid its movement. The team that completes the route in the shortest time wins the race.

THE AGENDA

The events will kick off with Cheese Rolling and Tug of War on Saturday, August 3rd, followed by the Cart Race and Hay Bale Roll on Sunday, August 4th.

The festivities will continue in the evenings of Wednesday, August 7th, with a Briscola Tournament, on Thursday, August 8th, with the San Lorenzo Bingo, and Friday, August 9th, with the official presentation of the four finalist districts. On this occasion, there will also be many stalls, markets and DJ sets.

Finally, on Saturday, August 10th, the day of the Patron Saint, the grand final will take place starting at 3 PM, again in Piazza Dante. The four districts that have scored the highest in the preliminary rounds will compete, starting from scratch, in the four previously played games, plus the so-called San Lorenzo Game, which involves woodcutting: two players from each district must cut a log with a two-handled saw; the team that cuts the most logs in the allotted time wins.

At the end of this final day of challenges, the winning district, the one that has accumulated the most points in the various final events, will be announced.

After the Palio is awarded to the winners, the evening will conclude with traditional fireworks and live music.

NOT JUST A COMPETITION...

The Palio of Borgo San Lorenzo is not just a sports competition but an event that involves the entire community, strengthening social bonds and promoting a sense of belonging. The preparation for the Palio requires months of work and collaboration between the various districts, creating a strong team spirit and solidarity.

To attend the Palio is to immerse oneself in the history and culture of the Mugello, experiencing an authentic and engaging event.

If you have the chance to visit Borgo San Lorenzo during the Palio, prepare to be swept away by the enthusiasm and passion of a community that proudly celebrates its traditions.

Don't miss this unique event, entry is free!

[Photo Credits: Comune di Borgo San Lorenzo Facebook Page]

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