Overview
Every year, from August 12 to 14, Piazza Armerina returns to the Middle Ages with the spectacular Palio dei Normanni, one of the most impressive historical reenactments in Sicily. The event commemorates the entrance of Norman troops, led by Roger of Hauteville, into the ancient city of Plutia to free its Christian inhabitants from Saracen rule.
Over the course of three days, more than 600 participants in period costumes—ladies, knights, noblemen, and Norman soldiers—parade through the historic center, offering a fascinating journey back in time filled with banners, armor, and medieval music.
The highlight of the Palio is the Quintana, a thrilling horseback tournament in which the city’s four historic districts—Monte, Castellina, Canali, and Casalotto—compete for the prestigious Palio banner.
This is an event that blends history, identity, and spectacle, engaging the entire local community and transforming Piazza Armerina into a living stage of emotion, tradition, and reenactment.
The Palio dei Normanni is a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in Sicilian medieval history in an evocative and authentic setting.
Free entrance
Free entrance
