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In Fabriano, a town in Italy where I visited in 2014, June is quite a popular time in the cultural and tourist calendar for the area. The Palio di San Giovanni
What is the Palio di San Giovanni Battista?
The Palio di San Giovanni Battista, named in honor of John the Baptist, is a historically backed re-enactment of an event brought back to the present day after centuries of strife. The Palio takes place from start-mid June and will continue to the sacred day of John the Baptist, in whose honor the doors of each participating district face each other in the varying competitions like popular historical games, decorative floral displays (infiorate), competitive archery, flag displays and the culminating the grand competition which involves racing, forgery and other spectacles.
The four districts of Fabriano compete against each other to become the Palio winner. These four districts are:
- Porta del Borgo (Yellow)
- Porta Cervara (Red)
- Porta del Piano (Blue)
- Porta Pisana (Green)
In 2014, I stayed with my friend in Fabriano who brought me to witness the different events of the Palio di San Giovanni Battista, starting with the opening ceremony. A procession of people in medieval attire from the different districts strolled up through the main street of Fabriano into the Piazza. Initially, I had
no idea what was going on. It was like taking a step backwards in time. The outfits were amazing to see, the people played their part and the community were out in their numbers taking pictures and wearing the color of their district.
The year I visited, it was also the year of the World Cup so there wasn't a shortage of people around Fabriano at the time. I got to witness the different events of the Palio. These different displays, I've never seen before. There was a sports day-like event that involved the four teams competing in sack racing to one side and then stilt walking back, there was a medieval type rounders, cart racing just to name a few. The flag displays and drummers made the events really amazing and created an atmosphere for the event. The infiorate gave a different and artistic feel to the event with amazing works of art being made with plants of different colours. Each district had their own tavern in the town which made up the night life of the Palio.
The year I was there, the finale put me on edge as I rooted for Porta Pisana, the district I was staying in. Watching them through the different events, but that
year, the winning team was Porta del Piano.
Last year (2015), I did not keep up too much with the activities of the Palio di San Giovanni Battista, but this year I kept up to date with the event and followed Porta Pisana. To everyone's amazement and delight, Porta Pisana won the Palio di San Giovanni for the first time in 21 years, an amazing victory that left me delighted for the district.
*Pic Credit: Palio di San Giovanni FB Page*
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I recommend those travelling in Italy during June to travel to Fabriano and witness the event. Not only are the sub-events interesting and good fun to watch but the parties surrounding the Palio are always lit! Congratulazioni Porta Pisana!
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More on Italy coming soon!
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