Bravìo delle Botti
From the 21st to the 30th of August the historical barrel race in Montepulciano
On the last Sunday of August, Montepulciano hosts the traditional Bravìo delle Botti, a historic reenactment of the competition between the town's eight districts (Contrade). In the past they raced on horseback; today they compete by pushing wine barrels.
Each barrel, weighing approximately 80 kg, is pushed and rolled uphill by two athletes from each Contrada, known as pushers, along a challenging 1.8 km route through the charming streets of Montepulciano's historic centre, finishing on the forecourt of the Cathedral (Duomo) in Piazza Grande.
The race is traditionally preceded by a spectacular Historical Parade, featuring more than 300 costumed performers who follow the same route, recreating the atmosphere of the Renaissance with flag-throwing displays, music and historical pageantry.
PROGRAMME
Friday, 21 August
7:00 PM | Piazza Grande
Cantine in Piazza (Wineries in the Square) – In collaboration with the Consorzio del Vino Nobile di Montepulciano.
Wine tasting, local food specialties and live music.
Saturday, 22 August
9:00 PM | Colonna del Marzocco
Departure of the Historical Parade.
9:30 PM | Piazza Grande
Proclamation by the Gonfaloniere.
Performance by the Montepulciano Flag Throwers and Drummers.
Show by Accademia Creativa: "Chisciotte, l'incanto del Cavaliere" (Don Quixote, the Enchantment of the Knight).
Grandstand and seating ticket: €12
Free admission: children under 6.
Contrade open to visitors.
Sunday, 23 August
3:30 PM | Cloister of the Medici Fortress
Award ceremony for the "A Tavola con il Nobile" competition, in collaboration with the Consorzio del Vino Nobile di Montepulciano.
4:00 PM | Colonna del Marzocco
Departure of the Historical Parade, accompanied by the Montepulciano Flag Throwers and Drummers.
5:00 PM | Piazza Grande
Presentation of the Panno (the ceremonial banner) and performance by the Junior Flag Throwers and Drummers of Montepulciano.
9:00 PM | Historic Centre
Practice sessions for the barrel pushers along the race route.
Contrade open to visitors.
Monday, 24 August
9:00 PM | Historic Centre
Practice sessions for the barrel pushers.
Contrade open to visitors.
Tuesday, 25 August
9:00 PM | Historic Centre
Practice sessions for the barrel pushers.
Contrade open to visitors.
Wednesday, 26 August
9:00 PM | Historic Centre
Practice sessions for the barrel pushers.
Contrade open to visitors.
Thursday, 27 August
8:45 PM | Historic Centre
Corteo dei Ceri (Candle Procession) – A historical reenactment through the streets of Montepulciano, illuminated by torches and flames.
9:15 PM | Piazza Grande
Performance by Lo Mago Abacuc.
Offering of the ceremonial candles in honour of the patron saint St. John the Beheaded (San Giovanni Decollato), accompanied by original music.
Performance by the Montepulciano Flag Throwers and Drummers, followed by a show produced by the Magistrato delle Contrade, the H. W. Henze Institute of Music and the GST.
Grandstand and seating ticket: €18
Free admission: children under 6.
Contrade open to visitors.
Friday, 28 August
9:00 PM | Historic Centre
Practice sessions for the barrel pushers.
Contrade open to visitors.
Saturday, 29 August
Contrade open to visitors.
Sunday, 30 August
9:30 AM | Piazza Grande
Drawing of the starting order for the Contrade, parade departures, performances by flag throwers and drummers, and official branding of the barrels.
12:00 PM | Montepulciano Cathedral
Solemn Mass attended by local authorities and representatives of the Contrade, followed by the offering of the ceremonial candles to St. John the Beheaded.
3:30 PM | Colonna del Marzocco
Departure of the Historical Parade.
6:30 PM | Colonna del Marzocco
Bravìo delle Botti – Start of the race.
Historic Centre admission ticket (2:30 PM – 7:00 PM): €4
Free admission: children under 6.
Additional Information
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