Sunday 17 March 2024
Dating back to the year 1208, the Palio di Verona is the world's oldest foot race. The event was held annually until the end of the eighteenth century. After a break of more than 200 years, it was revived in 2008.
Italy's great poet Dante Alighieri (ca. 1265-1321), a statue of whom stands on Verona's Piazza dei Signori (pictured), referred to the event in his famous "Divina Commedia" as the "Palio del drappo verde" ("Race of the Green Cloth"). The drappo verde was awarded to the winner.
Some traditions have changed over the years. The last male finisher, for instance, does not receive a cock any more. And unlike in medieval times, participants don't run naked.
The race distance and the course have also changed many times.
In 2024, the route will begin and end in the park of the beautiful Villa Ca' Vendri in the village of Santa Maria in Stelle which is situated in the picturesque wine-and-olive-producing Valpantena valley, approximately eight kilometres from Verona's city centre.
The race will be a mainly flat and scenic 11.4km run on mixed terrain (asphalt and gravel).
Map of the venue:
605. Palio del Drappo Verde:
Date:
- 17 March 2024 (Sunday)
Event website:
Number of finishers:
- 2023: 178
- 2022: 125
- 2021: Event cancelled
- 2020: Event cancelled
- 2019: 232
- 2018: 228
No guarantee is made as to the accuracy or thoroughness of the information on this page.