Sagra del Salame d’Oca and Palio di Mortara

The Palio di Mortara – A Unique Living Game of the Goose

The Palio di Mortara is a competition between the city’s seven contrade (districts), based on a live-action version of the Gioco dell’Oca (Game of the Goose), where scores are determined by archery skills.

The Historical Parade

A grand historical parade with over 400 participants in late 15th-century Renaissance costumes—representing the court of Ludovico Sforza and Beatrice d’Este—will march through the streets of Mortara.

The Archery Tournament

The archery competition between the six contrade will take place on Sunday.

This marks a return to its traditional date after last year’s exception, when the event was postponed to October due to the national elections.

At 3:00 PM, the contrade will bring the city center to life with the grand historical parade, featuring around 400 costumed participants.

The winner of the Gioco dell’Oca—the team that reaches square 63 through precise shots with historical bows—will receive a hand-painted banner created by a local artist.

Opening hours

Program – Festa del Salame d’Oca 2025

Friday, September 26, 2025

4:00 p.m.: Pedestrian area in the city center streets, ends at 1:00 a.m.
6:00 p.m.: Gathering of vintage motorcycles and cars (Strada Pavese 7)
9:00 p.m.: 58th National Poetry Award “City of Mortara,” organized by the Lomellino Cultural Club Giancarlo Costa (Rotonda Hall, Civico 17, Via Vittorio Veneto 17)
9:30 p.m.: Live music show “DejaVu Live Band” – Free admission (Piazza Silvabella)

Saturday, September 27, 2025

3:00 p.m.: Pedestrian area in the city center streets, ends at 10:00 p.m.
3:00 p.m.: Italian Post Office – special philatelic cancellation (Piazza Martiri della Libertà)
4:15 p.m.: Performance in the city center streets by the “Historic Band of the National Guard of Confienza”
4:45 p.m.: Official opening of the “Festa del Salame d’Oca”, drawing of the shooting order of the six Mortara Districts for the “Palio City of Mortara” (Piazza Martiri della Libertà)
5:30 p.m.: Concert by the “Historic Band of the National Guard of Confienza” (Piazza Martiri della Libertà), ends at 6:30 p.m.
9:30 p.m.: Music show “Nostalgia90” – Free admission (Piazza Silvabella)

Sunday, September 28, 2025

12:00 a.m.: Pedestrian area in the city center streets, ends at 10:00 p.m.
9:00 a.m.: Street market stalls (Corso Ariosto – Piazza Trieste – Piazza Trento)
9:00 a.m.: Exhibition stands and hobbyists (Corso Garibaldi, Corso Cavour, and city center streets)
9:00 a.m.: Vintage car gathering (Piazza Martiri della Libertà)
10:00 a.m.: Vintage car parades through the city streets
10:00 a.m.: Italian Post Office – special philatelic cancellation (Piazza Martiri della Libertà)
10:00 a.m.: “Radio Palio” – History, anecdotes, characters, and live connections with the festival. Curated by Roberto Frigerio (Corso Garibaldi, Palazzo Cambieri Gardens)
10:00 a.m.: Opening of the “Amico e Amelio Museum” (Via Troncone 1)
10:00 a.m.: Street performance in the city center by the Asti Bersaglieri Fanfare, Bedizzole Marching Band, and Banda de Cernusc
11:00 a.m.: Exhibition and awards ceremony of the 30th National Photography Competition organized by the Photo Enthusiasts Group of the Lomellino Cultural Club Giancarlo Costa (Palazzo Cambieri, Corso Garibaldi 44)
11:08 a.m.: Arrival of the Lomellina Express historic train from Milan Central to Mortara, via Pavia (Railway Station)
3:00 p.m.: Historical Parade featuring the “Flag-Wavers Group Gioco dell’Oca City of Mortara”, the six Mortara Districts, and the court of Ludovico il Moro and Beatrice d’Este, curated by the Magistrato delle Contrade
4:30 p.m.: 52nd “Palio City of Mortara” among the six Mortara Districts. At the end, award ceremony of the 2025 Palio “City of Mortara” (Piazza Silvabella; in case of bad weather: R. Guglieri Sports Hall, Via dell’Arbogna 10). Ticket presales at “Massimo Ricci”. Ticket sales on Sunday from 9:00 a.m. (Piazza Silvabella).