The challenge is held as per tradition on the last Sunday of May in honor of Sant’Ubaldo and the second Sunday of September in honor of Sant’Egidio in Sansepolcro
It is a traditional competition with the ancient post crossbow. THE Crossbowmen of Gubbio and those of Sansepolcrowear the characteristic period costumes and meet every year in the exceptional setting of Big Square.
The current Crossbow Palio, which is held as per tradition on the last Sunday of May in Gubbio in honor of Saint Ubaldo and the second Sunday of September in honor of Saint Egidio in Sansepolcro, is a continuation of those races that took place in the century. XV among civilian crossbowmen. Since then, except for brief and justified interruptions (e.g. due to wars), the Palio della Balestra® has always been held.
The competition consists in hitting the “badger“, a target placed 36 meters away and the crossbowman who manages to hit the point closest to the center of the target receives as a reward the Palioa valuable banner created every year by a well-known artist.
The creation of the 2021 palio was entrusted to the painter from Gubbio Giorgia Gigì.
During the event we witness the virtuosic and spectacular performance of the Flag-wavers. At the end of the event, a historical procession winds through the streets of the city.
The Palio della Balestra is repeated there second Sunday of September in Sansepolcro.
