The Palio di San Ranieri is a historical reenactment event forming part of the Traditions of Pisa’s History and Identity and is one of the principal events of the Giugno Pisano celebrations.
On 17 June, in honour of Saint Ranieri, the city’s patron saint, the traditional rowing competition takes place on the waters of the Arno River between four boats inspired by the ancient Galere Stefaniane, the frigates of the Order of the Knights of Saint Stephen. The historical reenactment traces its origins to the Palio in honour of the Patron Saint conceived and promoted in 1935 by the local ENAL section. Chronologically, the reenactment is set in the sixteenth century, during the period of the Battle of Lepanto on 7 October 1571.
The race is contested on the Arno along a 1,500-metre upstream course by boats representing the city’s four historic districts: San Francesco, identified by the colour yellow; San Martino, red; Santa Maria, light blue; and Sant’Antonio, green. Each crew is composed of eight rowers, a helmsman, and a montatore. The latter must climb a ten-metre pole positioned at the finish line on a floating platform and retrieve the flag symbolizing the conquest of the Paliotto. Two symbolic ducks, by contrast, represent the less coveted distinction awarded to the last-place finishers.
To view the full calendar of the Giugno Pisano: https://www.turismo.pisa.it/eventi/Giugno-Pisano-2026
