Palio di San Ranieri 2023

Palio di San Ranieri 2023 will take place on Saturday, June 17, 2023, in Pisa, as part of the series of events entitled Pisan June 2023.

Palio of Saint Rainerius (San Ranieri), also known as the Regatta of Saint Rainerius, is actually a rowing race held every year on June 17, along the Arno River, in honor of the patron saint of Pisa.

SHORT HISTORY

The first information about a regatta in Pisa dates back to the year 1292, when a palio was held in honor of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary.

After the Battle of Lepanto of 1571, when the Order of Saint Stephen fought on water against the Ottomans and captured the pennant of the enemy, which is now kept in the Church of Santo Stefano dei Cavalieri, the palio began to recall this event.

Beginning with 1718, the palio was disputed on June 17, for the anniversary of Saint Rainerius.

THE PALIO

Palio di San Ranieri is preceded by a historical procession.

The palio is disputed among 4 crews representing the 4 historical districts of the city, two of Tramontana and two of Mezzogiorno – San Francesco (yellow boat), San Martino (red boat), Santa Maria (blue boat) and Sant’Antonio (green boat).

Each crew consists of eight rowers, a helmsman and a montatore. The montatore is responsible for the most spectacular part of the race – he must climb a ten meter high flagpole, placed at the finish line, on a floating platform, to capture the palio (a flag).

The boats used in the competition recall the typical frigates of the Medicean Order of the Saint Stephen’s Knights.

The race starts from the Railway Bridge and takes place over a distance of 1,500 meters, with the competitors rowing against the current. The finishing line is at Palazzo Vecchio de’ Medici, near Ponte della Fortezza.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

On June 17, around 5.30 pm, the historical procession will depart from Ponte della Cittadella.

Around 6.30 pm, the draw for the water lanes will take place, and at 7.00 pm the race will start.

At 7.30 pm, the awarding ceremony will be held.

PISAN JUNE

The Pisan June (Giugno Pisano) is a series of events which take place during the month of June, in Pisa, in honor of the patron saint of the city, San Ranieri.

The Pisan June 2023 will probably begin on May 28, when the historical game of Mazzascudo will be held in Piazza dei Cavalieri, and will conclude on July 6, when the ceremony of the Marriage with the Sea will take place.