From May 29 to June 2, the "Palio of Donkeys" takes place.
The event takes place in a sports facility in the Municipality of Santa Maria a Monte.
The race is a competition involving a donkey and a jockey with no experience of this type of racing.
The path is an oval track on the grass of the field of the local soccer team, about 350 meters long.
The first two qualifying heats, each with four participants determine the four finalist districts, based on the first two donkeys that cross the finish line (even without their rider) at the end of two full laps of the track.
The donkey who first manages to cross the finish line at the end of three laps of the final race determines the winning "contrada".
Year after year this competition has become an attraction not to be missed for many people from all over Tuscany and tourists in the area at this time.
Cheering linked to districts becomes more and more choreographed so as to create a spectacular backdrop to this delightful event.
Falls, donkeys which shake unlikely jockeys and peculiar taming techniques make the atmosphere extremely enjoyable and unforgettable.
http://www.toscanatascabile.it/ios/event/palio-dei-ciui/
Samanta Recce
The Palio de' Ciui is an old tradition that developed in the locality "La Noce" near Lugnano where it is held today. This festival is celebrated every third Sunday of September in Lugnano.
Lugnano has been divided in five districts for centuries:
- Monte Bianco (white mountain) whose colors are red and white. The coat of arms of this district is the eagle.
- Pozzo Antico (ancient well) whose colors are yellow and black and the coat of arms of this district is the gull. This is my district and it is very beautiful.
- Poggio (knoll) whose colors are white and light blue. This district is represented by the snake.
- San Giorgio (S. George) whose colors are dark blue and red and the coat of arms of this district is the dragon.
- Canneto (cane-brake). This district is now out of the competition because there was an argument with the other districts. The colors of this district were green and white and its coat of arms was the otter.
This competition begins whit the parade of each district. Then they play a small scene created by them.
In the afternoon, at about six o'clock, after the allocation of the donkeys to all districts, there is the donkey race that takes place around a hill. Each donkey is galloped by a jockey. After a few laps the winner of the Palio is elected!
From May 29 to June 2, the "Palio of Donkeys" takes place.
