The Donut Festival and Palio of Saint Anselmo (Sagra del Biscotto and Palio di Sant’Anselmo) takes place every year in April in Bomarzo, the charming center of Tuscia known for one of the most famous natural monuments in Lazio, the Parco dei Mostri.
The event is organized in honor of the town's patron saint Sant’Anselmo, celebrated on April 24, and attracts onlookers and enthusiasts from all over the province.
The palio has very ancient traditions and is one of the most famous in Italy, preceded by a series of rituals in which the whole community takes part. One of many is the presentation of the "Palio in the Church" (Palio in Chiesa).
The Palio is the drape disputed by the various districts, and is created every year by a local artist.
The "Palio di Sant’Anselmo" has so much following that it is not rare to find every year some riders of the Palio of Siena competing in one of the five districts that participate in the race.
To complete the bouquet of events throughout the duration of the Palio are held parades and historical re-enactments in medieval costume that trace the history and traditions of the village.
Since 1973 together with the Palio di Sant’Anselmo, the Pro Loco of Bomarzo has organized the biscuit festival, a celebration to celebrate one of the typical products of the village, which is prepared only for the Palio.
The Bomarzo biscuit resembles in shape and size a donut, its recipe is very ancient and is handed down from mother to daughter.
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