The Palio recalls that called by the Tempesta lords, in their castle of Noale, in the 14th century (in this regard there are two historical documents dated 1339 and 1347). It consists of a foot race that takes place over a course of about 800 meters to be repeated twice in a man – woman relay format among the runners of the Noale districts (Bastia, Cerva, Drago, Gato, S. Giorgio, S. Giovanni, and S. Urbano).
Following tradition, the winning couple, adorned with laurel, receives the coveted painted banner, while the last couple to arrive, as a testament to their shame, is splattered with black paint.
The Palio race recalls the illustrious past of Noale: the ancient Novalis in fact became quite significant in the 12th century thanks to the castle built by the noble Tempesta lords who, as Avogari of the Bishop of Treviso, administered and defended the temporal goods of the church; due to the strategic position and the imposing fortified system based on water, they made Noale the impregnable center of their territory.<\/p>\n
Friday, June 19:
7:00 p.m. – market opening
9:00 p.m. – challenge of musicians and flag-wavers<\/p>\n
Saturday, June 20:
5:00 p.m. – market opening
6:30 p.m. – parade and presentation of the Palio
7:00 p.m. – mass
8:45 p.m. – start of court performances<\/p>\n
Sunday, June 21:
10:00 a.m. – market opening
10:15 a.m. – children\u2019s Palio
6:00 p.m. – historical parade
8:00 p.m. – palio competition
9:30 p.m. – start of court performances<\/p>\n