Palio di Lodi 2026

In Lodi, the Palio uses wooden horses on wheels, pushed by hand around Piazza della Vittoria. It takes place on the first Sunday of October, with eight city districts competing in a historical festival referencing medieval and Renaissance Lodi. The day begins with mass in the Cathedral, followed by a costumed procession before the contests in the square. The central idea, and the rule, is that this is a palio where the horses do not run, so no horse can get hurt. The main race is the Cursa dei Cavai, where each wooden horse carries a jockey while two athletes push it for three full laps of the square. The fastest team wins the Gonfalone della Citta di Lodi, but the overall district title relies on points from all events, including the ring joust, the Cursa degli Anelli, and the Puledrin race for younger participants. The top district receives the Baston de San Bassan, a scepter made from old wood and silver. Districts like San Bernardo, Porta Adda, Universita, Porta Regale, Revellino Marte, and Colle fuel the local rivalry, while the wooden horses give the event a playful character distinct from horse-racing palii elsewhere in Italy.