Palio of the Duke

The year 1328 was a lucky one for the noble Acquaviva family. Infact the Duke of Sarnano, from the powerful house of Brunforte happened to pass in those places. His family ruled on Marca region in place of the King of France. The Duke was in company of Rinaldo his young son.

The story tells that the young man fell deeply in love with the beautiful Forasteria, the daughter of the Duke Rinaldo d'Acquaviva.

Their wedding was very welcomed by the Acquaviva family. They were so happy and enthusiastic over the wedding that they established that celebrations should be held till the following year when the wedding took place in August 1329.

The Palio of the Duke draws its origin from this event. Infact, the palio does not celebrate any war event, but it is an evocation of the wedding of Rinaldo di Brunforte with the young Forasteria.

The Palio wants to represent the people's celebrations and some of the cerimonials performed by the nobles during the many feasts which took place in the Dukedom in occasion of the Wedding.

The celebrations start on the last week of July with the blessing of the Palio and go on till the first friday in August, which is the first day of the palio. Everything ends on the sunday evening with a banquet at the Court of the duke inside the Fortress.

Year 1996

July, 31 Piazzale S. Nicoḷ and Piazzale Orologio
Forasteria engagement party
Palio Blessing: (ancient costumes)
August, 2 Piazza del Forte and Fortress
Forasteria Marriage
Palio of Duca
Ancient games: Pagliarole, Tronco, Lancia, Mazza Ferrata, Ruota del Duca

August, 4 Fortress.
Duke Dinner
War Machine (Fire in Fortress)

August, September: Fortress wednesdays: Concerts, expositions.

Regione Marche

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