Palio del Principe
The Palio del Principe, in Bisignano (CS), is the re-enactment in which the 8 historical districts compete
Historical re-enactments
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Have you ever heard of the Palio del Principe? Bisignano is the town in the province of Cosenza that every year revives the historical procession and horse palio.
What exactly does the Palio di Bisignano consist of?
It is a challenge on horseback (joust) involving the town's eight historical districts: Borgo di Piano, Piazza, San Simone, Humale (now Giudecca), Santa Croce, San Pietro, San Zaccaria, Sant'Andrea or Cittadella (now Cittadella Coscinale). The joust proper is followed by the Historical Procession and the Palio delle Serenate.
The Palio del Principe is inspired by a 17th-century tradition, as can be seen from the sumptuous costumes, evoking the ancient principality of the Sanseverino family, who resided in Bisignano in the San Zaccaria district, in the so-called Palazzo Nuovo.
The Palio del Principe is a tribute to Don Giuseppe Leopoldo, who on 7 April 1704, accompanied by his bride, Princess Stefania Pignatelli, took up residence in the principality of Bisignano with solemn celebrations.
Today, the Palio di Bisignano, re-enacts the historic entrance into the town at the bridge and the gate of the Piano quarter, with a medieval procession involving dozens of figures in period costume: the prince receives the keys to the town on a silver tray and reaches the cathedral parading under a canopy, followed by the confraternities.
The tournament (Palio di Bisignano), on the other hand, consists of a clash between two ranks of knights, complete with standard bearers and squires in tow. It retains all the charm of the ancient medieval jousts and involves the 8 districts of the town, competing for the palio by grabbing a few rings fixed to the towers with a lance.
