Palio dei Normanni

Every year in Piazza Armerina, from 12 to 14 August, the Palio dei Normanni is held, a historical re-enactment of the entry of the Norman militia led by Roger of Altavilla into the ancient city of Plutia to free the Christian population from the Saracens.

The event takes place over the course of three days and involves about 600 people including ladies, notables, knights and Norman troops led by Count Roger the Norman, all of them parading through the city streets in Mediaeval costume. The highlight of the event is the Quintana (which takes place on the last day), the exciting equestrian joust between the city’s 4 districts that compete for the Palio.