Festivals in the past

In the XIXth century most festivals were of a religious character: the population used to meet in the cathedral, from where a procession started. The band of the town accompanied it through the streets of the town which were decorated in a lively fashion, from the windows hung tapestries and drapes of hundreds colours. 

 

A very important day in town was 7th August, San Donato's day, i.e. the patron saint's day.  Horse races and other attractions have been organized on this day since the Middle Ages. 

 

The Palio of the Horses without Jockeys
(Il Palio alla lunga dei cavalli senza fantino)

This competition started in Medieval times and took  place on the long straight road of the Corso Italia, in the evening of 7th August at 7 o’clock. The horses started from Via Romana and finished in front of the Pieve. There were not less than four horses and it is said that in 1480 Lorenzo the Magnificient had shipped his horse from Florence. The reward for the owner of the winning horse was a beautiful standard of embroidered velvet which was worth 100 florins; the second prize was a beautiful hawk; the third was a roast pig; the fourth was a goose and a basket of garlic. This competition lasted up to 1864 when politics ruined the sport and the race was prohibited.

It’s a great shame that this competition has been abandoned as today it could compete with the palio of Siena. But the Palio of the Horses without Jockeys was too popular in town and the following year a similar race was run at the 'Prato' Gardens.

 

 The Horses Race with Jockeys
 (La corsa in tondo dei cavalli)

In 1865 the Horses Race with Jockeys was first run on 7th August. It had in fact been held on 8th and 9th August since 1829 and was also called 'Race in the Roman way'.  The horses were divided into three batteries of four horses each and were mounted by jockeys of the town. The three winners qualified for the final. The Bishop and other authorities were always among the public and sometimes coaches of noble families paraded along the lanes before the race started. There were platforms around the lanes and on one side there was a platform for the band that used to play during the race. 
This competition was last held in 1930. 

 

Fireworks

The night before 7th August fireworks have been lit in the 'Prato' Gardens for many years.

Nowadays the Patron's Day is only celebrated with a large number of fireworks, which are no longer lit in the 'Prato' Gardens but inside the Fortress. 

 

For other festivals and pastimes, click here