District
City
Cerreto Guidi
The Palio del Cerro: four districts, five games and the village gathered in front of the Medici Villa.
Cerreto Guidi, a September evening
The village gathers. The contest begins again.
Founded in 1969, the Palio del Cerro brings folk games and village pride into the square. It takes place on the Saturday before the first Sunday of September, when Santa Liberata is celebrated.
The Medici Villa's stairways frame the Renaissance procession and the contest. The evening moves from court costumes to the four districts' challenges, with the village watching from the stands.
The tradition continues through the children's Palio dei Ragazzi, which began just one year after the adult competition.
- first edition
- 1969
- districts
- 4
- challenges
- 5
The village gates
Four districts, one Palio.
Their names recall the old entrances to Cerreto Guidi's centre. Competitors, costumed participants and families gather under the same colours; the contest brings their shared work into view.
District
Porta Fiorentina
District
Porta al Palagio
District
Porta Santa Maria al Pozzolo
Inside the game
Five challenges. Five ways to be a team.
From the stillness before a shot to the rhythm of a race, every challenge calls for a different skill. Here is what to watch for when the contest begins.
Accuracy · 16 metres
Crossbow shooting
Five bolts to hit the target. Competitors shoot simultaneously, each from their own station.
Strength · four competitors
Tug of war
Four competitors per district pull together: victory means dragging the opposing team across the line.
Aim · 6 metres
Ring throwing
Ten wooden rings and three posts to aim for. Women represent their districts in this challenge.
Balance · 60 metres
The bigoncia race
Racers jump inside bottomless wooden tubs once used during the grape harvest.
Coordination · 60 metres
The troppoli race
Three wooden blocks provide the footing to move down the lane. Rhythm and coordination are essential.
THE TRADITION ON VIDEO
Palio del Cerro 2026
This official video is not yet available to watch on this page.