Il Palio del Niballo di Faenza

The Niballo Palio of Faenza is one of the oldest medieval jousting tournaments in Italy, originally known as the “Giostra del Barbarossa” or “Quintana del Niballo,” and has been held on the fourth Sunday in June since 1959.
Each Niballo race is preceded by a historical parade, a reenactment depicting the social order, customs, and grandeur of the Manfredi family’s rule over Faenza.

In the days leading up to the Palio, the traditional Palio Week takes place, during which the five neighborhood districts organize evenings dedicated to entertainment, food, and socializing.
Two weeks before the Palio, the Bigorda D’Oro is held, featuring a competition among young horsemen; the best among them receives the Bigorda as a prize—a ceramic lance with a golden tip.
On the third weekend of June, the flag-wavers and musicians take to the field—more specifically, in Piazza del Popolo—to demonstrate their skills in the categories of Solo, Pair, Small Team, Large Team, and Musicians.