The Palio dei Normanni has been held every year in Piazza Armerina, in the heart of Sicily, on 12, 13 and 14 August, since 1952. The event has its origins between the end of the 17th and the beginning of the 18th century, when the then twelve confraternities of the city organized for the first time a historical procession on the occasion of the celebrations in honor of Maria Santissima dell’Assunta, today “Maria Santissima delle Vittorie”, known as the “Cavalcata”.

The event draws inspiration from the war of conquest of Muslim Sicily by the Normans led by Roger I of Sicily. The Norman conquest began in 1061, with Roberto il Guiscardo and above all thanks to the Arab emir

Piazza Armerina had not yet been founded, legend has it that Count Ruggero, at the end of the conquest of Sicily (which took place in 1091), wanted the banner of the Madonna delle Vittorie to be donated to the Norman city of Platia (in Latin) and kept in the mother church.

The Palio therefore becomes a unique blend of history and legend, of popular devotion and historical tradition, which makes it unique and incredibly fascinating.