Throughout all of history, each and every culture has some sort of event that is designed as a celebration or festival. Without these celebrations life can become rather dull. America has the almost completely flavorless county fairs that dot the country, with the same carnival rides coming each year to each town. It may be a distraction or just something that is slightly out of the routine enough to draw some of the town in but nothing that really excites people.
Italy, and Tuscany in particular, has been able to hold on to local traditions and still get the people excited even today. Though very close in distance and very similar in heritage and culture, each town in Tuscany seems to add its own particular flavor to the region.
Italy, and Tuscany in particular, has been able to hold on to local traditions and still get the people excited even today. Though very close in distance and very similar in heritage and culture, each town in Tuscany seems to add its own particular flavor to the region.
Siena has the Palio, Pisa has the Gioco del Ponte and Montepulciano has the Bravio delle Botti.
The Bravio delle Botti is a race through town where the eight different contrade, or section of the city, compete to capture the Panno. The Panno is a painted silk banner that is adorned with the patron saint of Montepulciano, San Giovanni Decollato, who's honor the race is held in each year. The race is a little different than what you may expect though: it's a barrel race! Each contrade nominates two spingitoni who roll the barrels around the town in a long and exhausting course.
The Bravio was originally a horse race, like Siena's Palio. One can trace the origins of the Bravio back to the fourteenth century. At some point in the seventeenth century the practice of racing the horses through town was abolished; history assumes that this was due to the danger of the practice.
The reemergence of the event was back in 1974, when a local priest by the name of Don Marcello Del Balio proposed the race begin again as a barrel race. The race still honors the patron saint of the city but with the addition of the wine barrels it also honors of one of the most notable exports, the Vino Nobile di Montepulciano.
The day of the Bravio begins typically around 9:00am with ceremonies for each contrade, then the barrels are branded, the Panno del Bravio is brought out by the council, and each contrade proceeds to the cathedral to light a candle for San Giovanni Decollato. This procession through the historic center to the cathedral usually has several thousand participants and begins at 4:00pm. At 7:00pm the bells of the town signal the beginning of the race, and the springitoni all push their barrels through the twists and turns of the winding city streets. Usually the race is over in less than 10 minutes. The winner gets the Panno del Bravio to display for the next year and of course, bragging rights.
The Bravio is held each year on the last Sunday of August. For those already traveling to Italy then, you might consider stopping by Montepulciano to enjoy the festivities. Anyone who is just now considering it, starting searching for your villa in Montepulciano now!
The Bravio delle Botti is a race through town where the eight different contrade, or section of the city, compete to capture the Panno. The Panno is a painted silk banner that is adorned with the patron saint of Montepulciano, San Giovanni Decollato, who's honor the race is held in each year. The race is a little different than what you may expect though: it's a barrel race! Each contrade nominates two spingitoni who roll the barrels around the town in a long and exhausting course.
The Bravio was originally a horse race, like Siena's Palio. One can trace the origins of the Bravio back to the fourteenth century. At some point in the seventeenth century the practice of racing the horses through town was abolished; history assumes that this was due to the danger of the practice.
The reemergence of the event was back in 1974, when a local priest by the name of Don Marcello Del Balio proposed the race begin again as a barrel race. The race still honors the patron saint of the city but with the addition of the wine barrels it also honors of one of the most notable exports, the Vino Nobile di Montepulciano.
The day of the Bravio begins typically around 9:00am with ceremonies for each contrade, then the barrels are branded, the Panno del Bravio is brought out by the council, and each contrade proceeds to the cathedral to light a candle for San Giovanni Decollato. This procession through the historic center to the cathedral usually has several thousand participants and begins at 4:00pm. At 7:00pm the bells of the town signal the beginning of the race, and the springitoni all push their barrels through the twists and turns of the winding city streets. Usually the race is over in less than 10 minutes. The winner gets the Panno del Bravio to display for the next year and of course, bragging rights.
The Bravio is held each year on the last Sunday of August. For those already traveling to Italy then, you might consider stopping by Montepulciano to enjoy the festivities. Anyone who is just now considering it, starting searching for your villa in Montepulciano now!