Barrel Race
Barrel Race
A contest, a challenge between the various quarters of the town – known as contrade – which enthuses and enflames them: the barrels weigh 80 kg.
It’s usually “simply” a matter of pushing them, running along a course of over one and half kilometre, almost all uphill, and being first across the finishing line in Piazza Grande, on the parvis of the Cathedral.
Every year, on the last Sunday in August, the eight contrade of Montepulciano challenge each other to a breath-taking race, as physically devastating as it is exciting for everyone, the people of the contrade and tourists alike. The race consists in pushing barrels weighing 80 kg, rolling them along a course, almost all uphill, measuring 1,650 metres long, through Montepulciano Old Town. The “spingitori” – as the athletes who push the barrels are called – two for each contrada, train hard for months and months, because the contest requires considerable athletic ability and strength. This race is run at an explosive pace and lasts just a few minutes, while the rivalry between the contrade is felt all year round; as was undoubtedly the case in medieval times, when the contrade first began challenging each other to win “il panno” (the cloth). The race is preceded by an atmospheric historical parade featuring over two hundred participants in costume, who perform flag throwing displays, play drums and present scenes of life from days gone by as they parade. The week leading up to the race is full of appointments characterised by antique charm, such as the proclamation of the Gonfaloniere, the “Corteo dei Ceri” parade and the trials of the barrel-pushers, which take place at night. Every evening the contrade stay open ready to welcome visitors in an atmosphere of festive anticipation, offering local dishes, celebrations and music.
