Most foreigners (if not all) associate the Palio with Siena where every year the horse race is organized, which is broadcast by many TV channels national and international.

But in Italy there are more Palii and it's not always about horse racing. So happens in Allumiere, a town located in the province of Rome where the first Sunday after 15 August takes place on < Strong>Palio delle Contrade that is, the donkey race.

The Allumian Palio dates back to the early 1500s, when the Sienese Agostino Chigi, who obtained a concession from the Reverend Apostolic Chamber the contract for excavation of the alum, brought to Allumiere the tradition of the well-known Palio of Siena. The choice of animals was not accidental. In fact, they were used to tow the wagons used to transport alum and the ride pays tribute to them.

The event consists of two main events: first the sixteenth-century costume parade prepared by the Allumese takes place, after which the most anticipated moment, namely the donkey race. The rule is always the same: the 6 districts participate in the Somarelli race around the Piazza di Allumiere, but unlike the Palio di Siena, the race is played running three batteries with three different donkeys. The score for each battery is between the 12 points that are awarded to the Contrada that first arrives at the finish line and the 2 points of the sixth ranked.