The Palio del Cupolone is a historic commemoration begun in 2016, during which the three districts of Assisi challenge each other in cultural events, such as historic parades, entertainment and traditional games.
The Palio del Cupolone is a historic, commemorative event that began in 2016 as a result of the desire of the Serving Priors to discover the origins of Santa Maria degli Angeli, Assisi’s largest parish.
The historic period behind the inspiration for the festival is the mid-nineteenth century. Events at the time marked the official birth of the town: the origin of the parish in 1850, the inauguration of Assisi’s railway station, in conjunction with the opening of the Foligno-Collestrada stretch in 1866 and the miracle received from Saint Anthony the Abbot to ward off the pestilence of horses between 1850 and 1860. At the time, Santa Maria degli Angeli was actually a post house, where the horses were changed over for the postal service and for passenger transport.
From the first editions, it was decided to extend the festival to the entire 19th century in order to be able to use a larger number of sources available and create a true historic recreation of the territory, by displaying traditions, costumes, games and ancient crafts of the period.
The festival consists of a challenge between the three districts (rione) in which the town is divided: Rione Fornaci, Rione Ponte Rosso and Rione del Campo. They stage theatrical works, historic parades and traditional games in front of a competent jury.
Starting from the 2023 edition, the Palio del Cupolone, the name of which refers to the great dome of the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli, has widened its horizons to stage the great international nineteenth century with performances and re-enactments.
The stage becomes a theatre of great changes, of discoveries, inventions and the revolutions that marked the 19th century
The festival is held in June every year and is welcomed by the citizens of Santa Maria degli Angeli and increasingly involves enthusiasts and those curious to learn more, by livening up the streets of what used to be an important hamlet of Assisi.
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