Every year in September, the village of Campagnatico dresses up for one of the Maremma's most heartfelt and original events: the Palio dei Ciuchi. A race with an ancient flavor, combining tradition, folklore, and an overwhelming community spirit.
A few steps from the Agriturismo Casa Olivo, the historic center comes alive with medieval costumes, parades, drums, flag-wavers and – of course – the absolute protagonists: the ciuche, or donkeys, ridden bareback by jockeys from the town's four districts (Pieve, Castello, Centro and Santa Maria).
The Palio dei Ciuchi: Campagnatico's most authentic festival
The Palio isn't just a race. It's a whole week of events, excitement, laughter, and historic rivalries passed down from generation to generation. An event that engages everyone, young and old, residents and visitors, transforming Campagnatico into an open-air theater.
The origins of the Palio dei Ciuchi date back to the post-World War II era, when—in 1957—the residents of Campagnatico decided to revitalize the ancient rivalries between their districts with a simple yet meaningful race: a bareback donkey race, without saddles or harnesses, inspired by peasant fairs and the desire to celebrate their identity together again. But the spirit of the Palio has even deeper roots, in religious celebrations in honor of the Madonna delle Grazie and in the communal rhythms of rural life in the Maremma. Since then, every year the Palio has been renewed as a collective ritual, where past and present join hands at the slow but decisive pace of the donkeys.
But there's also a literary touch: Campagnatico is mentioned in Dante Alighieri's Divine Comedy, in Canto XI of Purgatory, linked to the figure of Omberto Aldobrandeschi, a powerful family who had a castle here. A history intertwined with the town's stones, its walls, its traditions.
At Agriturismo Casa Olivo, the Palio is a special moment: our guests can experience it up close, breathing in the authentic atmosphere of a popular event that maintains the charm of the past intact.
Between a tasting of extra virgin olive oil, a stroll among the olive trees, and a sunset over the hills, the Palio becomes the perfect opportunity to discover the true soul of the Maremma.
The 68th edition will take place from September 8 to 14, 2025, with the final race scheduled for Sunday, September 14, around 6:00 pm. We look forward to seeing you in September to experience the Palio dei Ciuchi together.
