Palio di Parma

The origin of this festival can be reconducted to 1314[2] as reported by Giovanni Del Giudice in the "Chronicon Parmense",[3] talking about a festival hold to honour the engagement between Giberto III Da Correggio, ruler of Parma from 1303 to 1316, and Engelenda Rossi, also called Maddalena Rossi di San Secondo daughter of Guglielmo Rossi and Donella da Carrara rulers of Padova.

[4] This brought to an end of the several fight among their noble families wanting to dominate Parma.

On that day, all the enemy families of Giberto Da Correggio were allowed to return in Parma, and even some prisoners gained back freedom.

The town is divided in 5 different areas called "Porte", referring to its ancient gates.

In each of them the porte try to win a painting showing one of the monuments of the town and Holy Mary, protector of Parma.

Flag wavers and people in medieval clothes going to the Parma Cathedral
Medieval Chor during the Palio blessing ceremony
The symbols of the five porte of Parma
Map showing the division of the historical center into five porte
Map showing the whole city of Parma divided among the five porte
Prisoner
Blessing ceremony
Inhabitants of Parma in medieval clothes
Medieval warrior
Flag wavers reaching the area of the competitions
Palio di Parma - Flag wavers in front of the ducal palace, territory of the Porta di Santa Croce