The Palio delle Contrade is the most important event in Fucecchio which takes place on the second to last Sunday of May, this year on May 18 2025, and is nationally known. A very old fight of medieval origin and a rebirth that, from 1981 onwards, has seen a continuous increase of passion and interest: today the Palio delle Contrade plays a primary role in local people's daily lives and in the historical events of Tuscany. The undisputed stars of the event are the 12 Districts: Borgonovo, Botteghe, Cappiano, Ferruzza, Massarella, Porta Bernarda, Porta Raimonda, Querciola, Samo, Sant'Andrea, San Pierino and Torre. The big race on the second to last Sunday in May is the climax of a whole week of events, among which are the display of the "cencio" and the historical parade, with flag-throwers and more than a thousand extras, and it is preceded by other side initiatives throughout the year. The horse race takes place in the afternoon of the second to last Sunday of May, at 4pm, at the green area of the Buca del Palio, where a ring track made of sand has been created. The challenge consists of three races: two tournaments, each consisting of six horses, and the final, in which eight horses compete, with the first four finishers of the previous races. For all races both the position of the horses at the rope and the run-up horse are drawn The historical parade, with its over a thousand extras in magnificent costumes, takes place on the morning of the Palio, from 9am, and goes through the main streets of the town. Each district presents the reenactment of a historical period as part of a broader theme, that is the evolution of city customs from 1200 to 1800. The historical parade is opened by the Banner of the Municipality of Fucecchio, which precedes the standard of the Associazione Palio delle Contrade and the winning district of the last edition. Parading behind it are all the other ones, according to the order drawn in public during the presentation evening of the Palio. The parade ends with the Cencio, that is the painted banner that is competed for during the afternoon race. Scheduled on the days preceding the race, in addition to the historical parade, are other initiatives. Taking place on the Tuesday of the week of the Palio is the presentation ceremony of the Cencio. The next day, instead, is time for the Tratta: Lady Luck is the ruler of the draw and the ensuing assignment of the horses to the Districts. Scheduled on Thursday and Friday are the mandatory competitions, while taking place on Saturday are the presentation ceremony and the registration of the jockeys.
9:30am - Historical Parade 3pm - 44th Palio Città di Fucecchio
