Bravio delle Botte

Montepulciano

The last Sunday in August in Montepulciano is reserved for the ‘Bravio delle Botti’. It’s a challenge carried out among the eight contrade of Montepulciano that compèred for a painted banner in a 1800m race in which they push an 80kg barrel uphill.

The route is always established before time and starting positions are designated by a morning draw. At the sound of the bell ringing in the ‘Torre del Palazzo Comunale’, the race starts.

The barrels are pushed by two men along the route which travels through the evocative streets of the historic centre of Montepulciano and eventually arrive at the Cathedral in Piazza Grande.

The modern version of this race, not on horseback, began in 1974, when a parish priest had the idea of transforming the old horse route into a barrel format. Before each race, ceremonies and rituals take place such as the drawing of the start order, fire branding and wax offerings to San Giovanni in the cathedral.

On the day of the race in the afternoon, a historic procession takes place and consists of 300 participants

and at 7pm, with the sound of bells ringing, the barrels begin to roll on the stones and after only a few minutes the victory will earn the ‘panno’ and the losers start to plan their revenge and future wins!

Team, 25/07/2024 11:07:36

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