Palio of Casole d'Elsa

The Casole traditional equestrian competition

The Palio of Casole d'Elsa has a tradition whose roots date back to the mid-800 's, when at the end of the festivities in honour of Sant'Isidoro, took life a horse race.

The competition was disputed by most important estates by then representing the whole country. The event suffered an interruption in the late 1960s due to the depopulation of the countryside.

In 1975 the Palio of Casole was revived by a new regulation, the farms were replaced by new realities in representation of specific areas of the Township. Thus the districts of Rivellino, Pievalle, il Merlo, Cavallano, Monteguidi and Casole Campagna.

The equestrian competition is held every year on the second Sunday of July, the jockeys ride bareback horses who compete in dirt track racing a slightly uphill. It is also called a "Roman" palio because the starting point is different from that of arrival.

 

 

Photo Credits [casole.it]