Every August in Paliano the 'Palio dell’Assunta' takes place, a historical procession and a horse race to commemorate the glories of the victory of Prince Marcantonio Colonna in Lepanto in 1571.
Marcantonio Colonna was the admiral of the Pontifical fleet who led the Holy Alleaza to stop the advance of the Turks in the West. The victory in Lepanto, in the Aegean Sea, was a key moment in the history of the West. against the Turks.
At the end of the sixteenth century the Republic of Venice, the Papal State, Spain, Austria and Genoa had created a Holy Alliance to counter the advance of the Turks and, therefore, of the Muslims.
Due to diplomatic delays due to agreements between the allies, the clash was postponed for a year and this is perhaps the key to success. For once, the "Italian chatter" was the turning point of history.
On his return from the war, Marcantonio Colonna was hailed with an absolute hero and went triumphant in procession along the streets of Rome as the ancient Roman emperors did. the procession is represented in a fresco in the study of the prince inside the tower of the Forte di Paliano.
During the holidays, a historical representation of the procession with people in period clothing walks along the streets of the center starting from the ancient fort and arriving in the central square dominated by Palazzo Colonna.
The 9 districts of the town of Paliano then challenge each other in a competition of dexterity on horseback. The riders launch their horses at a gallop and must hit a ring with a spear. The winner of the competition will have the famous 'Palio', a cloth painting painted each year by a different artist.
In the evening all the cellars of the town are open and the 9 districts organize the 'cellars', temporary restaurants where you can taste the specialties of the area.
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