The program

​Would you like to relive the historical period between the Middle Ages and the Renaissance and enjoy one of the most beautiful historical re-enactment festivals?
COME TO PERUGIA from 5th to 7th of June 2026

 

Perugia welcomes you from June 5 to 7 to join in the historical reenactment of the entry of the mercenary captain Braccio Fortebracci into his city, which he had recaptured after a long exile, winner at the Battle of Sant’Egidio. Hailed as the new lord of Perugia, Braccio continued to conquer territories in pursuit of his dream of an Italian kingdom. During his reign, he brought years of good governance to his city: a story that here symbolizes the past spanning the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. The celebrations are based on accounts found in archival documents and culminate in a striking nighttime historical procession in his honor and the handover of keys of the city, accompanied by performances and dances. Amid the festive atmosphere of the medieval city, the five Magnificent Rioni (Districts) will compete for the palio in thrilling challenges: Archery, the Tower Climb, and the Banner Race, along with theatrical performances set in historical contexts. Flag-wavers and demonstrators of ancient crafts join exhibitions and living history reenactments of the spectacular stone-throwing battle. In the taverns, traditional Umbrian dishes and medieval recipes are served. There’s also a medieval experience for children, featuring a mini-palio dedicated to them.

The program is online!

5-6-7 June 2026

 

23 May

30 May

from 3rd to 7th June

5 June

6 June

7 June

Saturday 23 May

Perugia – Teatro della Sapienza, Via della Sapienza,6
CONFERENCE
Recipes and dining customs in Italy between the Middle Ages and the Renaissance

Saturday 30 May

Logge di Braccio, Piazza IV Novembre
12:00pm
PALIO D’ARTISTA 2026 PERUGIA 1416
Presentation of the winning Palio from the competition organised by the Perugia 1416 Association, open to students of the “Pietro Vannucci” Academy of Fine Arts in Perugia.
Admission is free

From 3rd to 7th of June

7.30 pm – 10.30 pm
Giardini Carducci
Taverna Eburnea, in collaboration with the Porta Sole and Porta Santa Susanna neighbourhoods

Fraday 5 June

12:00 PM: opening of the “Contrada degli antichi mestieri” market and demonstration context (Piazza della Repubblica) and the “10+1” exhibition, featuring the Palii created through a competition within the Academy of Fine Arts’students since 2016, along with the opportunity to play the video game Ludus Perusinus (Galeazzo Alessi Center, Via Mazzini) and a photography exhibition in the Sala Ex Misericordia on Via Oberdan;

6:00 PM: Holy Mass in the Cathedral with the blessing of the palio and the Rioni (Districts) banners;

7:00 PM: first competition: “Tiro con l’Arco” (Archery) (Piazza IV Novembre);

9:30 PM: theatrical competition among the five districts: performances on historical theme, judged for points.

Saturday 6 June

10:00 a.m.: opening of the “Contrada degli antichi mestieri” market exhibition in Piazza della Repubblic; the “10+1” exhibition, featuring the Palii created through a competition within the Academy of Fine Arts’students since 2016, along with the opportunity to play the video game Ludus Perusinus (Galeazzo Alessi Center, Via Mazzini) will close at 3:00 PM;

6:00 PM: departure of the procession of the athlets from City Hall toward Piazza Matteotti and a ceremony dedicating the Tower to Fabrizio Mosci, its designer;

6:15 PM: second competition: the “Mossa alla Torre” in Piazza Matteotti, preceded by the dedication of the tower to Fabrizio Mosci, its creator;

10:00 PM: Historical Procession celebrating the Ingresso di Braccio (Corso Vannucci toward Piazza IV Novembre) and key of the city handover ceremony to him, followed by performances;

11:15 PM: third competition, the Corsa del Drappo (running rase) in Piazza IV Novembre;

12:00 AM: announcement of the winning Rione and the Palio and the Collare della Vittoria (Victory collar) handover.

Sunday 7 June

10:00 A.M.: opening of the “Contrada degli antichi mestieri” market exhibition in Piazza della Repubblica, the “10+1” exhibition and the opportunity to play the video game Ludus Perusnus (Galeazzo Alessi Center, Via Mazzini);

11:00 AM.: guided tours of the Noble Guilds of the Cambio and the Mercanzia and of the exhibition at Palazzo Baldeschi, “St. Francis, our Contemporary, between Art and Spirituality” (tickets at a special price of €4.00; 12:00 p.m. guided tour for groups of at least 5 people);

5:00 p.m.: flag-waving exhibition in Piazza IV Novembre;

5:30 PM: Athletes’ parade (from the Perugia1416 APS headquarters on Via Oberdan to Piazza IV Novembre);

6:00 PM: Children’s Palio: tug-of-war and running races—followed by an awards ceremony for the winning district team (Piazza IV Novembre);

6:45 PM: the Sassaiola (Battle of the stones). A historical reenactment of the ancient Perugian game to mark the 600th anniversary of its prohibition. Research and living history by the Compagnia del Grifoncello, with the participation of athletes from Perugia’s five districts. The two sides—Parte di Sopra (Magnifici Rioni P. Sole, P. Sant’Angelo, P. Santa Susanna) and Parte di Sotto (Magnifici Rioni P. San Pietro and P. Eburnea) – will face off, with voice-over narration and commentary;

7:30 PM: gathering in the taverns for the grand finale, featuring jokes and banter among the districts.

Look at Perugia1416 in the past years