On the occasion of the eight hundredth anniversary of the death of Saint Francis and on the occasion of the restoration of the national holiday in His Honor, the Crossbowmen of Porta San Marco, in collaboration with the Municipality of Pisa and with the organizational contribution of the Tramontana Command and the Magistracy of San Francesco del Gioco del Ponte of Pisa, with the supervision of the Parish of San Francesco, is carrying out for Sunday 4 October 2026, in Piazza San Francesco starting at 3:30 pm the "CROSSBOW PALIO IN HONOR OF SAINT FRANCIS".
This is the challenge between the crossbowmen of Porta San Marco combined with the 12 Magistrates of the Gioco del Ponte. The Tramontana Command and the San Francesco Magistracy will be present, with promotional stands set up; there will also be a representation of the Magistracy and Parthian figures in historical costume. Also present are stands of parish associations with artifacts made by their volunteers.
A representation of the Gioco del Ponte participants and the Palio Winner, wearing the banner of the Porta San Marco Crossbowmen, will participate in the religious service held in the Cathedral at 6:00 PM.
The program for Sunday, October 4th
- 12:00 PM - Matching ceremony between the Crossbowmen and the Gioco del Ponte Magistrates
- 3:00 PM - brief historical procession of the Bridge Game and Porta San Marco Crossbowmen and layout in the Piazza
- 3:30 PM - start of qualifying shots
- 4:15 PM - Corniolo shot for the Palio award
- 4:45 PM - Winner and Awards announcement
- 6:00 PM - delegation to the Cathedral in historical costume for the Liturgy in honor of Saint Francis
