Palio di San Rufino 2023

Palio di San Rufino 2023 will take place between 24 and 27 of August, 2023, in the beautiful town of Assisi.

SHORT HISTORY

The origin of this tradition is lost in time. The first mention of this custom in an official document dates back to the 14th century, and the document is now kept in the Municipal Library of Città di Castello.

DESCRIPTION

Palio di San Rufino, dedicated to Saint Rufinus of Assisi, the first bishop of the city, is a crossbow shooting competition between the three historical districts (terzieri) of the town: San Francesco, San Rufino and Santa Maria.

The Palio, a banner painted by a renowned artist, is awarded to the winning team, while the crossbowman who gets the highest score in the single-shot competition receives the Silver Crossbow (Balestrina d’Argento).

The festival begins with the opening of a thematic exhibition, the theatrical performance and the historical market of San Rufino, which recalls the traditional fair that took place during the days of the celebration of the patron saint of the city, Saint Rufinus.

Today, the market exhibits characteristic crafts and antiques along a route that goes from Piazza della Chiesa Nuova, through via Arco dei Priori, Volta Pinta, to Piazza del Comune.

In the following days, the Palio continues with the investiture of the crossbowmen, followed by the shooting contest between the three teams of the Crossbowmen Company of Assisi (Compagnia Balestrieri di Assisi), each representing one of the three districts.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Thursday, August 24:

• Opening of the thematic exhibition.
• Theatrical show of Compagnia Balestrieri di Assisi.
• San Rufino Market.

Friday, August 25:

• Theatrical show of Compagnia Balestrieri di Assisi.
• San Rufino Market.

Saturday, August 26:

• Historical procession starting from Piazza del Comune to the Cathedral of San Rufino.
• Investiture of the new crossbowmen.
• Propitiatory banquet.

Sunday, August 27:

• Historical procession from Piazza del Comune to Piazza San Rufino.
• Crossbow shooting competition.
• Prize-giving ceremony with the intervention of local authorities, who will hand over the Palio to the winning team and the Silver Crossbow to the winner of the individual competition.