The Palio del Diotto was organized for the first time after World War II, as the historical re-enactment of the city’s foundation, when a delegation headed by a noble Florentine, who pledged his loyalty by swearing to serve the Republic, left Florence and settled in Scarperia. The event includes a historical parade, flag wavers, and, above all, a calendar of competitions joined by 9 teams of young locals, (‘palio,’ in the Italian language, means ‘price’) such as the pull of the rope, knives throwing, the run of the bricks, a race and the climb of the maypole.  This is the most important event happening in Scarperia, so important that the feast for the city’s patron Saints (Jacopo and Filippo) is traditionally celebrated on 8 September, instead of – as it should be according to the Christian method – on 3 May.

The Renaissance days have been organized every year since 1995, during the few days before the Diotto palio. During these days, the village goes back in time to the Sixteenth century, you will meet willow basket makers, vintage street artists and ladies committed to cooking old dishes or weaving and spinning, and a rich artisan market where you can buy food and souvenirs by using the new fiorino, a reproduction of the Florentin florin, a coin struck at that time.