Norman Palio

The "Race of the Normans" in honor of Our Lady of Victories patroness of the city is a popular tourist attraction Palio dei Normanni Piazza Armerina. After a characteristic costume parade commemorating the entry of the Norman King Roger in the city, the next day in the city stadium, will compete in various contests of skill riders who represent the four city districts.

At the district winner is awarded the Palio, which consists of a banner depicting the image of Our Lady of Victories. Honours Norman
The Norman Palio, international events taking place on 13 and 14 of the month in Piazza Armerina (EN), is a historical-religious enterprise that time came the Normans in Sicily around 1060, led by Count Roger d 'Altavilla, last of the sons of Tancred and brother of Robert Guiscard said.
The conquest of the island is dominated by the Arabs appeared as a religious holy war of liberation: the Pope Nicholas II gave, in fact, to Roger, as a sign of investiture and hope for deliverance from Saracen domination, a cloth with the image of Our Lady and Child, painted, it is said, by the hand of St. Luke.
The banner of war, was the signum victoriae that brought victory to victory until Roger Pluto (the ancient Piazza Armerina), which was raised to the parade ground of the Norman army.
Thus the Norman Earl donated to the city, which was tied by a bond of alliance, the banner received from the Pope that he was soon thought to be miraculous and the object of popular worship.
As a result of these facts, the boundary between history and legend, during the celebrations of Holy Mary. Victories of the city's patron saint, was born The Norman Palio.

The event commemorates the different phases of the festive entrance of Count Roger of Hauteville in the ancient town of Pluto:
* The first day, a historic carousel Norman recalls the entry of troops into the city and offer the keys to the Count Roger.
* The second day of the Palio or Quintana, a thrilling joust between four teams of five riders in period costume, representing the four quarters of the ancient Pluto (Mount, Channels, and Castellina Casalotto) in the presence of Count Roger dignitaries and citizens.

Palio dei Normanni Palio dei Normanni