Palio of the mannaja

The Palio is a re-enactment of a fact that actually happened in Pietralunga on 11 September 1334, when a certain Giovanni di Lorenzo from Picardìa went on a pilgrimage to Lucca and passed through Pietralunga, here he was unjustly accused of killing a man and therefore sentenced to death. Shortly before the execution the unfortunate man turned to the Holy Face and when the executioner tried to cut off his head with the mannaja something miraculous happened: the blade turned. There are many testimonies that support this fact, including an autograph letter by Branca de 'Branci, podestà of Pietralunga and the same mannaja, preserved in the Cathedral of Lucca, hanging near the Chapel of the Holy Face to witness the miracle that occurred. The mannaja on the occasion of the Palio of Mannaja 2016 is back in Pietralunga, where it was kept for about 2 months at the Church Pieve di Santa Maria.
In this regard, on Saturday evening, the historical re-enactment of the miracle preceded by the rich historical procession is carried out. On Friday evening, on the other hand, the flag-bearers and tambourines of Pietralunga perform with their suggestive show.
On Sunday afternoons the traditional Biroccio race takes place, for adults and children. Il Biroccio is a very heavy cart used throughout the Middle Ages to transport the condemned to death. The birch weighs 430 kg and is pushed by hand by the representatives of the five districts: Borgo de Sopra, Borgo de Sotto, the Monte District, the Valcelle District and the Piscinale District. Whoever completes the course in the shortest possible time wins. The Palio della Mannaja was founded in 1982 thanks to the studies conducted by the historical Alpengistese A. Alpini. During these thirty years the event has gradually grown to become the main festival in the country. The entire week of the Palio is full of events, Dinner of the Palio, concert of the polyphony Choral of the pietralunghese, shows, music, folklore, taverns, shops and taverns throughout the historic center, where you can admire and buy artifacts of local crafts, taste food and wine and above all enjoy the cozy pietralunghese atmosphere. In August.