The Palio of the Castles

Every year-since 1972-for more than a week, San Severino Marche returns to the Renaissance era with performances, historical parades and ancient games during the "Palio dei Castelli." The re-enactment is held to coincide with the day on which the patron saint San Severino bishop is celebrated and recreates the atmosphere that the charming village experienced under the rule of the Smeducci seigniory. Games and competitions of different kinds are held during the Palio, such as the Coccio tournament, the Crossbow tournament and the fencing tournament, as well as tug-of-war and archery. The final competition takes place in Piazza del Popolo and is the Corsa delle Torri, in which teams of eight athletes chase each other along the ring of the square carrying a heavy tower representing their contrada on their shoulders. Another particularly enthralling moment of the event is the "Luminaria," a nighttime procession held in historical costumes, with participants proceeding through the streets of the borough with banners and torches. The procession ends with the Offering of Candles in Piazza del Popolo to re-enact the episode of the oblation of the Smeducci family who donated a wax sculpture representing part of their castle to the custodians of the shrine on Mount Nero.