Every year in Bobbio, a village located in the heart of the Trebbia Valley, there is an historical festival.
The Palio delle Contrade
When: 27 and 28 June 2026
Where: historical center, Bobbio
The historical event involves various competitions of skill in which the contradaioli compete with the aim of crowning the Contrada Regina, which will carry the title for one year, putting it back on the line the following year.
There are five contrade of Bobbio and they take their names from the ancient gateways to the medieval town:
- Porta Alcarina
- Porta Legleria
- Porta Frangula
- Porta Agazza
- Porta Nova
Each contrada has a distinctive color and its own banner. The same colors are used for the clothes of the contradaioli who will test themselves in the palio competitions.
Programme
Entertainment and travelling shows
When: 27 June, from 4 pm
Where: historic centre, Bobbio
Children’s Palio
When: 27 June, 4.30 pm
Where: Piazza Santa Fara, Bobbio
Flag-wavers and musicians
When: 27 June, from 6.30 pm
Where: historic centre, Bobbio
Grand historical procession
When: 27 June, 4.30 pm
Where: Piazza Santa Fara, Bobbio
Presentation of the Contrade and official launch of the Palio challenge. During the evening, there will also be a ‘Fire Show’ in Piazza Duomo.
Tug-of-war
When: 27 June, 10.00 pm
Where: Piazza Santa Fara, Bobbio
Closing DJ set
When: 27 June, from 11.30 pm
Where: Piazza Santa Fara, Bobbio
Flag-wavers and musicians
When: 28 June, from 10.30 am
Where: historic centre, Bobbio
Historical dances from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance
When: 28 June, from 10 am to 6 pm
Where: Porticato Santa Fara, Bobbio
Cheerful travellers, educational stalls and medieval re-enactments.
Medieval market
When: 28 June, from 10.00 to 18.00
Where: Piazza Santa Fara, Bobbio
Birds of prey area
When: 28 June, from 10.00 to 18.00
Where: Piazza Santa Fara, Bobbio
Performances by ‘His Majesty’s Falconers’ during the morning.
Palio Games
When: 28 June, from 4 pm
Where: historic centre, Bobbio
The games will be: Egg Toss, Archery, Basket Race, The Segone Game, Grease Pole, U basar.
Closing dinner
When: 28 June, from 8.30 pm
Where: Piazza Duomo, Bobbio
This will be followed by the crowning of the winning Contrada and a DJ set.