Palio di Asti
Italy's oldest documented horse race, run bareback in Piazza Alfieri by riders for Asti's districts and the towns of its province, after a costumed medieval procession over a thousand strong.
Why it's special
Documented since 1275 — older than Siena's — and still run without saddles, with twenty-one contrade and comuni riding for their own square. The procession alone puts more than 1,200 people in medieval dress through the streets.
Programme · 2026
A bareback horse race with twenty-one riders representing the city's districts and towns of the province, preceded by a procession of more than 1,200 costumed medieval figures through the historic centre to Piazza Alfieri.
- The costumed procession through the centre is free and worth arriving early for; the race itself is in Piazza Alfieri, where the good spots fill up.
- Confirm the exact Sunday and any grandstand tickets at visit.asti.it.
Asti will tell you, and the records back it, that its Palio is older than Siena's — documented since 1275. It's still run the hard way, bareback, in Piazza Alfieri, with twenty-one riders carrying the colours of the city's contrade and the towns of the province. For an afternoon, neighbourhood pride is the only thing that matters.
Before the horses, the whole medieval city comes out: a procession of more than 1,200 people in costume winds through the streets to the square. That part is free and, honestly, half the reason to come — the race is over in a rush, but the walk-up lasts hours.
Get in early for a spot, and confirm the exact September Sunday at visit.asti.it. The date is above.