The horse race takes place in the afternoon of the penultimate Sunday in May at the green area of the Buca del Palio, where a ring track in sand has been built. Based on the total number of Districts that are currently in the Association, the race is divided into three races: two batteries, composed of six horses each, and the final, in which eight horses compete, with the first four classified of the previous batteries. For all races, both the position of the horses on the hemp and the running horse are drawn.
The historical parade, with more than a thousand people in magnificent costumes, takes place on the morning of the Palio and runs through the main streets of the country. Each district offers the re-enactment of a historical period in the context of a broader theme, namely the evolution of city customs from 1200 to 1800. The historical parade is opened by the Gonfalone of the Municipality of Fucecchio, which precedes the banner of the Association Palio delle Contrade and the Contrada winner of the last edition. Behind her parade all the others, according to the order drawn publicly during the evening of presentation of the Palio. The parade closes with the Cencio, or the painted drape that will be held in the afternoon at the race.
In the days preceding the race, in addition to the historical parade, other initiatives are planned. On Tuesday of the week of the Palio there is the veterinary visit of the horses registered for the competition and, in the evening, the presentation ceremony of the Cencio. The next day, however, it’s time for Tratta: the blindfolded goddess is the mistress in the draw and the consequent assignment of horses to the Contrade. On Thursdays and Fridays there will be compulsory tests, while on Saturdays there will be the presentation and registration ceremony of the jockeys.
Watch the videos on the official Youtube channel of the Palio di Fucecchio.
