Contacts
Argentario Sailing Palio
Argentario Sailing Palio
The historic and evocative rowing competition is held every year on August 15th in Porto Santo Stefano.
The Palio, one of the oldest and most fascinating maritime palios in Italy, has its roots in the distant 17th century and combines tradition, sport, and culture in an atmosphere of great popular celebration.
The race sees the four historic districts of the town compete: Pilarella, Croce, Fortezza, and Valle, each participating with a crew composed of five rowers and a coxswain, aboard typical boats called “guzzi,” built following ancient artisanal techniques. The course of the race is a loop of about 4,000 meters, which takes place in the waters of the “Stadium of Turquoise” in Piazza dei Rioni.
The atmosphere is electrifying, with supporters loudly cheering for their districts, displaying colorful flags and banners. At the end of the race, the winning district is awarded the “Drappellone”, a precious banner hand-painted by local artists, which will be proudly kept until the next edition.
Who lives in Porto Santo Stefano breathes the air of the Palio all year round, but it’s when the date of the competition approaches that the whole town reaches the peak of excitement, as Valeria, who has participated in the parades and passionately cheered for her district since she was a child, recounts:
“As an ardent supporter of the Argentario Sailing Palio, I can say that every year the anticipation and excitement leading up to August 15th are indescribable.
Since I was a child, I have experienced this event with great involvement, which has grown over the years: I remember the first times when my mom or my grandma would take me in a stroller to parade, when I still didn’t fully understand the importance of what was happening, but which from then on allowed me to connect with our maritime traditions.
Over time, I began to understand the hard work and dedication that each district puts into preparing for this race. The winter training, the evenings spent creating new chants, the choice of costumes for the parade: every detail contributes to creating that magical atmosphere that makes the Palio so special.
On the day of the race, the town transforms: seeing the streets decorated with flags and banners, hearing the songs and chants echo everywhere, is something indescribable. It’s an experience that fills me with joy and strengthens my sense of belonging to the town.”
When the time for the regatta finally arrives, the adrenaline is through the roof. My heart beats fast as I watch the guzzi start, knowing that every rower is giving their all to bring honor to their district.
The wait for the result is filled with tension and hope, and if my district wins, the joy is uncontrollable. The celebrations that follow are a burst of happiness, a festivity that involves everyone and unites us in collective singing and cheering while we wave our flags.
The Argentario Sailing Palio is not just a boat race; it is a symbol of our identity, an occasion to celebrate our roots.
It is an event that I carry in my heart and eagerly await every year, knowing that it will continue to represent a fundamental part of my life.
