Palio de lo Daino

For four days in August, the Palio del Daino is reenacted in Mondaino, a medieval village in the hinterland of Rimini. The re-enactment celebrates the meeting that took place in Mondaino between the lord of Rimini, Sigismondo Pandolfo Malatesta and Count Federico da Montefeltro, who, after signing the peace between the two factions, indulged in festivities. The "Palio de lo Daino" always begins on Thursday with the flag-waving show and at the firing of the bombard that kicks off the event. Friday and Saturday are the days when the historic center is invaded by themed shows (jugglers and musicians), food stands offering some typical recipes of the time, and re-enactments of ancient medieval crafts set up in the village stores. The last day, Sunday, is the most important day of the festival, when the actual Palio takes place in the beautiful main square between the four districts of Mondaino, which clash in the goose race and the crossbowmen's disfida competition of the Compagnia San Michele of Mondaino. At midnight on the last day of the Palio is the re-enactment of the burning of the fortress and the fireworks display. A celebration in which more than 300 figures participate, re-enacting particularly exciting medieval scenery.