Palio dei Normanni

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Four historical districts of the town are wholly involved in this medieval contest. This palio celebrates the Sicily liberation from Arabs by the Norman Count Ruggero d'Altavilla on 1091. After the war he gave a peace banner to Piazza Armerina. The city has held for centuries this great event celebrating this gift. On the 13th of august of each years, actors representing the Count, his wife and all his court (almost 300 actors wearing historical clothes are counted that day) enter in the city from via Garibaldi. They go to the main square where the most important personalities of Piazza Armerina give to the Count the keys of the town. 
The day after on Sant'Ippolito camp the medieval contest is played. Riders on horses try to hit a Saracen-looking puppet with their lance. After that, they'll try to insert their lances through a small ring leaning from the puppet running fast with their horse.

When: 13 – 14 August

Where: Piazza Armerina - Sicily