Bravio delle Botti - Montepulciano

Usually the last sunday of August in the tuscan land of Montepulciano near Siena, just 50 minutes from your villa, the famous Bravio of the Botti has run. According to custom of this manifestation having basis on ancient tradition of the middle ages, 8 district (contrade) (Montepulciano, Cagnano, Collazzi, Coste, Gracciano, Poggiolo, San Donato, Talosa) dispute for a paint cloth that brings the imagine of the Montepulciano's patron saint (San Giovanni Decollato) rolling "botti" (barrels weight 80 kg) pushed by two man along a climb course of 1,8 km that goes to cathedral of Montepulciano in Piazza Grande. Originally the "Bravium" was so different from the present, in fact, as attested by the official regulation of the 1372, the "Bravio" had to be a red cloth of thirty golden fiorini value that it was given to the winner of the equestrian race. The tradition lasted for three hundred years but it has been interrupted during the XVII century when by pubblic command the horse use was abolished. In 1974 Don Marcello Del Balio had the idea to make the Bravio an unique and fun manifestation changing the ancient horse race with the barrels race.. in italian "corsa delle botti"! In the Grande Square since the 9 am of the Bravio's sunday you can see suggestive ceremonies that lead you to the afternoon where after historical cortage the Bravio of the Botti will start. From the Marzocco column to the Montepulciano Cathedral this manifestation will be enough short finishing in the Duomo of Montepulciano but it will has given you an occasion to have a particular day on Siena's hills in search of the ancient tuscan origin.