Ascoli Piceno Prepares for 102nd Quintana with Palio Reveal and New Damas

The Pinacoteca Civica in Ascoli Piceno hosted the presentation of the 2026 Palio of the August Quintana, officially launching the festive calendar that runs to 5 August and culminates in the 102nd Giostra della Quintana. The ceremony was opened by council elder president Massimo Massetti and the mayor Marco Fioravanti, who stressed the event’s identity value. Designer Antonio Marras unveiled a three‑dimensional Palio made from historic fabrics, gold and silver threads, linking contemporary art with traditional craftsmanship. Five noblewomen representing the city’s historic quarters were also presented.

In a separate session, the sestiere of Sant’Emidio introduced the female figures who will march in the historic parade on 2 August. Console Vittorio Crescenzi and caposestiere Mariangela Gasparrini highlighted the debut of a new group of armati and announced Alessia Di Pietrantonio, an optics entrepreneur, as the dame of the red rose, who will parade alongside her 15‑year‑old daughter Sofia. Additional dames Giulia Traini, Federica Del Papa and Delia Di Marco were also named.