The Palio

In 1967 there has been a re-edition of the Palio, as  it represents the unique and gloriuous historic past of the city of Asti. This Palio, that dates back to 1275 a.c., is in fact one of the most ancient in the world. Hotel Cavour is located in the Rione San Paolo, and is represented – during the historical pageant – by a group of knights and dames who parade wearing sumptuous costumes and are preceded by the banner and by the a group of flag-wavers and drummers.

The costumes are stricktly inspired to the period between the XII and XV century and faithfully reproduce models and accessories  described in ancient documents. The flag-shakers accompanied by the sound of drums, perform complex choreographies, while proudly wearing the colours of the “ Rione ”( red and gold), referring to the ancient figure of the medieval standard-bearer from whom –  according to different signals – the movements of the militia were structured. Nowadays all the activities promoted by the committee bear the purpose to obtain a good placement in the bearback-riding race that takes place every third Sunday of September and is open to all the “ Rioni”, villages and districts that compose the city.

The winner of the race obtains the PALIO, consisting in a velvet crimson drape painted year by year by a famous master and whose iconographic subject must always be the image of Saint Secondo protector of the city, riding a horse.

In the image we see the start of the 2010 finals won by Borgo 3T Tanaro.