Italian towns crown winners in 2026 Palio festivals

The 2026 Palio of Feltre in Veneto concluded with the Duomo district triumphing, as riders Antonio Siri and Michel Putzu led their team to victory in the horse race. In the Marche region, the Cavalcata dell'Assunta in Fermo featured the archery "Tiro per l'Astore" competition, following a series of medieval games among the town's ten contrade.

In Sicily, the Roccalumera Palio saw the Botteghelle squad win after a spirited contest that sparked lively public debate. Meanwhile, the Pesaro Palio in Emilia‑Romagna crowned Villa San Martino as the overall champion, drawing thousands of spectators to the historic Rocca Costanza. The event also highlighted the social dame award, with Aurora Albertini of Santa Maria dell’Arzilla receiving the prize and a contract to front a cosmetics campaign.

These festivals, rooted in centuries‑old traditions, attracted large local crowds and emphasized community pride, cultural heritage, and inter‑generational participation across several Italian towns.