When: 19/09/2010 -  , 14.15.00
Where: Asti, P.za Alfieri
www.palio.asti.it
The first mention of the race goes back to the year 1275 when, according to Guglielmo Ventura, his townsmen ran a horse race for their own amusement, beneath the walls of the enemy city of Alba, causing heavy damage and devastation to the vineyards.
Today, the city still preserves a structure that bears witness to the greatness of its past, with the towers and bulwarks of its medieval palaces and the characteristics streets of its historical centre that provide an appropriate setting for the fascinating historical revival of the Palio. There are twenty-one contenders in the race and, in the weeks that precede it, they all do their utmost to propitiate the victory by holding huge banquets, enacting magic rituals, playing terrible pranks on their adversaries, right up until the big day when they meet on the field, preceded by a sumptuous parade of over twelve hundred persons in medieval costume. After a difficult challenge requiring all their skill, passion and courage, only one of them will win possession of the crimson banner with the coat of arms of the city and the image of its Patron Saint. In the days preceding the race, visitors may enjoy many collateral and preparatory events: the Palio of the Flag-wavers, the colourful flea-market, the trials of owner-jockeys on the field. Opportunities not to be missed for those who really want to immerse themselves in the special atmosphere of this event.
10:00 am - Parish churches: blessing ceremony of horse and jockey.
11:00 am - Piazza San Secondo: exhibition by flag throwers from the A.S.T.A. (Association of Traditional Flag Throwers from Asti).
12:00 am - Piazza San Secondo - Town Hall: formal registration of jockeys and horses competing in the Palio.
2:15 pm - Piazza Cattedrale: start of the historical procession with one thousand two hundred people in medieval costume: it is led by the overall winner of the previous edition of the Palio, followed by the other classified quarters. The order of the remaining participants is drawn by lot. The procession, which is opened by the Group of the Captain of the Palio, re-enacts scenes of medieval life.
Parade route:
Piazza Cattedrale, Via Caracciolo, Piazza Cairoli, Corso Alfieri, Via Gobetti, Piazza San Secondo, Via Garibaldi, Via Gardini, Piazza Alfieri.
4:00 pm - Piazza Alfieri: Palio bareback horse-race (jockeys ride without a saddle). Three preliminary heats in which seven horses compete; best three in every heat proceed to the final.
5:00 pm - Flag throwers show.
6:00 pm - Final race and awarding of the Palio to the winner.
...and for the days before
Thursday
8:00 pm - Piazza San Secondo: Palio degli Sbandieratori. Competition between flag-throwers groups representing the quarters
Friday
from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm - Piazza San Secondo: first day of the Palio's typical market, where find original handmade souvenirs.
Saturday
from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm - Piazza San Secondo: last day of the Palio's typical market, where find original handmade souvenirs.
8:30 pm - in every quarter: big ritual banquets prepared to favour victory.