The Palio delle Contrade
is held every year in Bobbio, a village located in the heart of the Trebbia Valley.
The event, which is historical in nature, 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.
When: Saturday, June 24 and Sunday, June 25.
Program:
Ancient games
When: Saturday, June 24, 4 p.m.
Where: Santa Fara Square
Flag-wavers and blackboard musicians
When: Saturday, June 24, 6-10 p.m.
Where: through the streets of the village
Procession of the contrade
When: Saturday, June 24, 8:30 p.m.
Where: departure from the Gobbo Bridge
Followed by the launching of the challenge
Palo della Cuccagna
When: Saturday, June 24, 10 p.m.
Sfide/Challenges
When: Sunday, June 26, 3 p.m.
– egg throwing
– archery
– bale race
– tug of war
– sponge race
– grand binge
Followed by awards ceremony and dinners of the contrade!!!
