Serra Sant'Abbondio celebrates 40 years of Palio della Rocca

The Palio della Rocca in Serra Sant'Abbondio will celebrate its 40th anniversary from September 4 to 6, 2026. Established in 1987, the event commemorates the construction of the Rocca di Serra by military architect Francesco di Giorgio Martini during the rule of Duke Federico da Montefeltro.

The three-day festival features medieval reenactments, including ancient trades, falconry shows, flag throwers, and military combat. A central tradition is the ‘Corsa delle Oche’ (Goose Race), where three castles—Leccia, Campietro, and Serra Sant'Abbondio—and three villages—Petrara, Montevecchio, and Poggetto—compete for the Palio trophy depicting Saint Abbondio.

To mark the milestone anniversary, a special event titled ‘Disfida tra li Palii’ is scheduled for Sunday, September 6. This symbolic race will involve neighboring Palio participants from Cagli, Fabriano, Frontone, Pergola, and San Lorenzo in Campo.