Ask anyone from Fermignano which day of the year matters most and the answer is almost always the same: the Sunday of the Palio della Rana, the Frog Palio. It looks like a game, but here it's taken very seriously.
How it works
Each district (contrada) of the town fields a runner pushing a wooden wheelbarrow. In the wheelbarrow sits a live frog, and the frog has to stay there all the way to the finish. If it jumps off, the runner must stop, catch it and put it back before setting off again. The first to cross the line with the frog on board wins: speed, nerve and a little luck.
When it takes place
The Palio is run on Domenica in Albis, the first Sunday after Easter. Around the race there's a whole weekend of celebration: a historical parade in costume, the districts in their colours, music and food stalls in the town centre.
A story of independence
The festival's origins go back to the early 1600s, when Duke Francesco Maria II della Rovere granted Fermignano its own council, partly separating it from Urbino. To celebrate, so the story goes, people took to the streets with banquets and folk games: sack races, the greasy pole and, of course, the wheelbarrow race with frogs. The tradition faded over time and was brought back to life in 1966 by the local Pro Loco. It hasn't stopped since.
Tips for visitors
- Arrive early: the route fills up and the best spots go to those waiting along the main street.
- Pick a district to cheer for. It's far more fun.
- Book ahead for lunch or dinner on Palio weekend, as the town is busy.
Dates and programme change from year to year, so follow the announcements of the Pro Loco di Fermignano.
At da Lola the Palio is a celebration in the kitchen too: the dining room fills with district supporters, families and visitors. Call us to book your table.
