Have you ever seen a high-speed wheelbarrow Frog Race before?  If not, it’s fairly safe to assume that you don’t live in Fermignano, in Le Marche, Italy.  That’s because each year, on the first Sunday after Easter, the townsfolk and visitors from far and wide gather to witness the ‘Palio della Rana’, the infamous Frog Race of Fermignano.

As the contestants, known as ‘scarrolliante’, line up to start the crowds thronging the leafy Via M. Liberta wait in hushed anticipation.  The contestants, dressed in medieval attire, wait anxiously for the race to begin, each with a small frog sitting on top of their wheelbarrow.

Each scarrolliante represents one of the 7 ‘contrade’, or districts, of Fermignano, keen to prove their speed, strength, and skill in this grueling competition that strains the mind and body to its very limits.   

As the contestants watch nervously on, specialist officials inspect each frog in turn, carefully looking for any signs of foul play.  After the inspections are complete, a wicker basket is placed over each frog on the wheelbarrows until the race begins.

The 170-meter race starts when the baskets are removed from the frogs.  The contestants burst into a brisk run, battling one another to stay in the lead.  The rules of race stipulate that if the frog on the wheelbarrow jumps off, the contestant must stop and replace it before they can continue.  

The Palio della Rana is a high-stakes race in which the winner takes all.  Great glory and praise is heaped onto the winner as the after-parties run late into the night to the sounds of live music, revelry, and joyful celebrations.

During the weekend-long festival of the Palio della Rana the town of Fermignano bursts to life with an arts and crafts market, food stalls, and several special exhibitions to celebrate the event.

On Friday night, the Museum of Architecture opens its yearly ‘La Sala Bramante’ exhibition which commemorates the remarkable work of Bramante, a Renaissance-era architect who was born in Fermignano.  Over the course of the weekend, you can visit the town’s art galleries, watch battle reenactments, comedy shows, and musical performances, listen to poetry readings, and admire archery at Il Campo D’Arme. 

Locals dressed in medieval costumes also take part in a grand parade through the town, drumming, juggling, waving flags, singing, and dancing.  All of these fun celebrations lead up to the main event, the Palio della Rana itself, and create a truly enchanting atmosphere for the weekend.

If you’re looking for some unique souvenirs of your visit, the crafts market sells a beautiful range of locally produced ceramics, leather goods, metalwork, and other artisan items.  Meanwhile, the food stalls always have a delightful selection of snacks, wine, and meals on hand for the hungry crowds in town. 

Just 9 km from central Fermignano, the Albergo San Domenico is the ideal place to base yourself during the Palio della Rana.  This is because, unsurprisingly, it can be quite difficult to find accommodation in the small town of Fermignano during the weekend of the Palio della Rana.  

Located on the Piazza Rinascimento, in the neighboring town of Urbino, the Albergo San Domenico is a stylish, elegant hotel in a beautiful Renaissance-era building with top-quality amenities and friendly, multilingual staff.  

The 4 Star hotel is dog friendly and all rooms have air conditioning, a minibar, a safety deposit box, a Flatscreen TV, and a spacious bathroom with a shower.  The hotel has a range of rooms to choose from including a bridal suite, family rooms, and non-smoking rooms.

The breakfast room has original Renaissance-ear arches and the outside courtyard is perfect for relaxing in the evening after a day of sightseeing in the area.  The Albergo San Domenico has on-site parking, free high-speed WiFi throughout, a lovely bar and lounge, and offers bicycle rental for its guests.  

To find out more about the Albergo San Domenico or to make your reservations for the Palio della Rana, see here. 

With superb Italian, Mediterranean, and barbecued food on the menu, the family-friendly Trattosteria is a wonderful place to eat lunch or dinner while you’re visiting Fermignano.  The restaurant has indoor and outdoor seating, is fully wheelchair accessible, and serves delicious local wines and craft beers as well as a full range of soft drinks and fruit juices.

Situated in Fermignano, this fantastic steakhouse serves a superb international menu as well as authentic Italian cuisine.  With modest prices and an excellent wine list, the Burgheria Steak-House is certainly one of Fermignano’s best-kept secrets.

No trip to the Palio della Rana would be complete with a visit to the legendary ice cream shop and bakery in the neighboring town of Urbino.  With a heavenly selection of homemade ice creams and a mouth-watering range of artisan pastries, this local favorite should be right at the top of your itinerary.

There’s nothing quite like the annual Palio della Rana in Fermignano.  As well as enjoying the weekend’s cultural events, you can explore the local region and visit nearby towns such as Urbino, savor the lovely local cuisine, and pick up some unique, artisan souvenirs at the crafts market.