Palio del Niballo Faenza

Palio del Niballo

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Sports & AdventureFaenza
DatesDates TBA · Usually JuneCheck locally before booking
Duration22 daysListed event span
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forCompetition, enduranceUnlike the mounted horse races that define
LanguageItalianCurrency: EUR
CategorySports & AdventureFestival type
The story

Palio del Niballo Faenza in Faenza

Faenza's Palio del Niballo has roots tracing to a 1164 visit by Frederick Barbarossa and documented reference as the Quintana del Niballo by 1596, revived in its modern competitive form in 1959. Knights from five city districts charge at a small target on the Niballo effigy, making it a jousting contest rather than a horse race like Siena's or Asti's Palios.

Knights on horseback aim lances at a target only eight centimeters wide, mounted on a dummy long ago nicknamed Niballo, in a jousting tournament whose roots reach back to a 1164 visit by Emperor Frederick Barbarossa.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

Unlike the mounted horse races that define most Italian Palios, Faenza's contest is a precision joust: knights charge at full gallop and must strike a target only eight centimeters wide on a fixed effigy called Niballo, with accuracy rather than speed alone deciding the winning district

02

The mystery stays covered

A full historical procession recreating fifteenth-century civic and military life precedes each joust, giving Faenza's event a structure closer to the ring-jousts of Foligno or Ascoli Piceno than to Siena's or Asti's bareback races

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

The precision joust against the Niballo effigy's small target

Water and renewal

Living ritual

the five-rione district rivalry established in the 1959 revival

The sacred route

Living ritual

and the historical procession recreating fifteenth-century Faenza before each contest

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually June

Getting around

For route-based days, arrive early and expect normal streets around Faenza to work differently.

What to wear

Light summer clothing suited to late June, with sun protection for the daytime procession and stadium event.

Safety

At Palio del Niballo Faenza, respect barriers, moving equipment and marshal guidance; photos are never worth stepping into active areas.

Where to stay

Stay near workable transport in Faenza, especially if the event runs late or streets close.

Tickets/cost

Check official or local sources for ticketed areas, paid stands, and same-year access rules.

Language/currency

EUR

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map44.29 N, 11.88 EOpen in Google Maps

Faenza, Emilia-Romagna, Italy

Nearest airportBLQ — Bologna Guglielmo Marconi
TransportFor route-based days, arrive early and expect normal streets around Faenza to work differently.
Stay areaStay near workable transport in Faenza, especially if the event runs late or streets close.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Faenza via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Faenza, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for June.Compare faresFestival gearLight summer clothing suited to late June, with sun protection for the daytime procession and stadium event.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for Italy and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Palio del Niballo Faenza?

Palio del Niballo Faenza is listed for Past edition: 7–28 June 2026. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Palio del Niballo Faenza take place?

The festival is listed in Faenza, Italy. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

22 days is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Faenza, Emilia-Romagna, Italy

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLitalia.it
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually June
Source statusOfficial source linked
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