PALIO di SIENA – Horse Race

Casali di Bibbiano villa guests can experience the famous ‘Palio di Siena’ horse race first-hand.

Ah, summer in Tuscany! Villa guests at Casali di Bibbiano are enjoying beautiful summer days ‘under the Tuscan the sun’. The sky is bright blue, the vineyard is thriving and Siena is getting ready for the famous Palio di Siena horse race.

Held twice a year on July 2 and August 16 in the Piazza del Campo in Siena, ‘Il Palio’ is a much anticipated and revered spectacle which attracts visitors from around the entire world. This dangerous horse race, which lasts usually no longer than 90 seconds, features ten colorful horses and riders representing ten of the seventeen city wards of Siena.

Siena’s voluminous Piazza del Campo is laid with thick a layer of dirt upon which the horses and bareback riders circle the piazza three times. Often enough, riders are thrown from their horses while trying to navigate the piazza’s treacherous turns and the winning horse need not have its rider upon it!

Located only 30 minutes from Siena, Casali di Bibbiano is proud to offer its guests the opportunity to experience, first-hand, ‘Il Palio’ and the magnificent ‘Corteo Storico’ pageant which precedes the race

La Befana

Italy's traditional celebration includes the tale of a witch known as La Befana who arrives on her broomstick during the night of January 5 and fills the stockings with toys and sweets for the good children and lumps of coal for the bad ones.

According to the legend, the night before the Wise Men arrived at the manger they stopped at the shack of an old woman to ask directions. They invited her to come along but she replied that she was too busy. Then a shepherd asked her to join him but again she refused. Later that night, she saw a great light in the sky and decided to join the Wise Men and the shepherd bearing gifts that had belonged to her child who had died. She got lost and never found the manger.

Now La Befana flies around on her broomstick each year on the 11th night, bringing gifts to children in hopes that she might find the Baby Jesus. Children hang their stockings on the evening of January 5 awaiting the visit of La Befana.

See My Befana for La Befana song andmore about the legend.

The origins of La Befana may actually go back farther, to the Roman's pagan festival of Saturnalia, a one or two week festival starting just before the winter solstice. At the end of Saturnalia, Romans would go to the Temple of Juno on the Capitoline Hill to have their augers read by an old crone.

Infiorata Festivals – Noto, Spello, Genzano

The Infiorata di Noto is not the only festival of its kind in Sicily (there are two others that take place in Spello and Genzano). However it is arguably the most famous, and news of this festival travels far beyond the island itself to welcome visitors from many different countries over the weekend that it takes place. The meaning of infiorata refers to something that is decorated with flowers. In this case Noto is the fortunate area to be decorated with flowers of all kinds. Another phrase you may hear relating to this event is also most appropriate – “carpets of flowers”.

It’s easy to work out when the next Infiorata di Noto will take place – it always occurs on the third weekend in May. It is now over a quarter of a century old and still draws in a huge audience. In 2015 this means it will begin on Friday 15th May and run through until Sunday 17th May, so you have a few days in which to see the phenomenon. And a phenomenon it certainly is, since you can see the artists involved creating the spectacle on Friday, before seeing it in its complete form over the two days of the weekend itself.

Each artist is given a section of pavement along Via Nicolaci, a charming street in Noto, and they must create their own design based on a given theme. Each artist works to the same theme to ensure a cohesive whole once the flower carpet is completely finished. At the weekend you will be one of thousands who walk past the displays, taking in the inspiration, design, artwork and beautiful colours that are resplendent in the Sicilian sunshine.

This Sicilian Flower Festival is not just about walking past the displays, however. You can sense a real festival atmosphere here, since many other attractions and sideshows are set up to provide more entertainment and appeal for visitors. Finally, if you are still in Noto on the Monday morning after the festival, do watch as the local children run riot on the flower displays. It may look destructive and it is, but it happens every year and shows the fleeting nature of this festival. In the destruction of the artwork so the pavements return to normal until next May, when a fresh slew of designs will grace the streets of Noto once more.

La Corsa dei Ceri

La Corsa dei Ceri

When: May 15th

Where: Gubbio

Background

La Corsa Dei Ceri is the procession marking the eve of the death of Bishop Ubaldo Baldassini, who was canonised as Protector of Gubbio.

The Event

The event revolves around the eponymous Ceri – or candles. In this case, the candles in question are large, wooden objects in the style of battering rams. At the start of the ceremony, the candles are carried by three teams of men from the Palazzo dei Consoli and taken to the Piazza Grande. Once there, the teams attach small statues of St George, St Anthony and St Ubaldo to one end of each candle. After bells have rung out at 11.30am, the teams lever the Ceri in upright positions, with the captain of each team at the top of the pole bearing a large ceramic vase of water. The captains will then fling the vase as far as they can into crowds of people. It is said that if any of the crowd successfully obtain a piece of the shattered vase, then they will have good luck and good, healthy crops for the next year.

After this, the Ceri are taken three times around the Piazza and then at 2pm, a large-scale seafood banquet takes place. At 4.30pm, a religious procession of the relics of St Ubaldo takes place before the big race at 6pm.

The curious thing about the race of the Ceri is that St Ubaldo always wins. The candles are raced up 300m of mountainside into the mountainside basilica – once inside, the victors must try and keep the runners-up out. But the real aim of the contest is to not drop the candle. The team that drops the candle the fewest times is actually the winner.

Festa della Sensa

Festa della Sensa

When: May 19th - 20th

Where: Venice

Background

The Festa Della Sensa is also known as the Ascension Festival and commemorates two important events in Venetian history. It marks the beginning of political, trade and military expansion of the Venice Republic. This occurred after the 26th Doge of Venice, Pietro Il Orsedo, sailed off on 9th May 1000 with a fleet to aid the populations of Dalmatia from Slavonic pirates. This resulted in a victory for the Doge and the fleet, and the Festa Della Sensa marks this victory. It also marks the conclusion of the secular diatribe between the Papacy and the Empire, when in 1177, Pope Alessandro III and Emperor Federico Barbarossa made a peace treaty.

The Event

The main centrepiece of the event is the Wedding With The Sea. This represents the Venice Doge's blessing from St Peter of the Castle at St Elena – this would culminate in the Doge throwing a golden ring into the sea to symbolise the union between the Republic of Venice with the sea. Today, the historic event is marked by a regatta that heads from St Mark's to St Nicolò – a golden ring is thrown into the waves at the climax.

The event is also supported by a greater wealth of cultural initiatives such as a water parade, Venetian style rowing and the Sensa Market. There are also two initiatives that recognise areas, cities and individual citizens who have both formed a good relationship with Venice in terms of culture and sea-based activities (Adriatic Twinning) and in terms of promoting business, crafts and culture (The Premio Osella d'Oro della Sensa Award).

Festa della Madonna Bruna

Festa della Madonna Bruna

When: July 2nd

Where: Matera in Basilicata

Background

The Patron Saint of Matera is Maria Santissima della Bruna – July 2nd marks her Saint's Day, and it's marked by a day-long festival. The Festa Della Bruna is said to have been started at the request of Pope Urban VI on 9th November 1389 – the story goes that a peasant agreed to take a mysterious noblewoman to Matera on condition that the woman left the traino before Matera so as to not raise any possible questions. But by the time the peasant reached Matera, the woman had mysteriously vanished – all that remained was a statue. In a letter written by the woman that was given to the Bishop, it revealed that the woman was the Virgin Mary. The statue was welcomed by both the Bishop and clergy and after being carried three times around the Piazza del Duomo, was taken in procession around the Cathedral.

The Event

The main event is the procession that flanks a statue of the Madonna and child. The statues are escorted at midday to a float made out of papier-mâchè in the neighbourhood of Piccianello – which is close to the church of Annuziata, which is said to be the location of the aforementioned event concerning the Virgin Mary. The float and statue are then ushered by costumed men on horseback, in procession, and taken back to the Cathedral. After carrying the float three rimes around the Piazza del Duomo, the statues are placed inside the Cathedral.

Following this, the procession's solemnity is replaced by the decimation of the float. The townsfolk will smash the float to pieces, and it is said that anyone who claims a piece of papier-mâchè will be blessed by good luck for the next year. The event ends with a large-scale fireworks contest above the old quarters of the Sassi.

Game of the Bridge (Il Gioco del Ponte)

Game of the Bridge (Il Gioco del Ponte)

When: Last Sunday of June

Where: Pisa

Background

The Game Of The Bridge is said to date back to February 22nd 1568, when opposing teams from various areas in Pisa battled each other for the symbolic ownership over the Bridge over the Arno river. Unlike today, the battle would usually end in violence and fighting.

The origins over this battle are vague, and there are a number of theories as to who started the event and why. The most common two names are the mythical founder of Pisa, Pelops, who wanted to see a recollection of his native Olympic Games, or Roman Emperor Hadrian, who wanted to see his version of gladiatorial games occur on the shores of Arno.

The Event

Somewhat more genteel than the original violent event, today's Game Of The Bridge, nevertheless, still sees a competitive spirit among the participants. There is a great emphasis on culture and spectacle – for example, before the battle, a parade of representatives from both north (Tramontarna) and south (Mezzogiorno) sides of the Arno river march along the banks of the river. Each parade comprises around 300 people who are clad in 18th century costumes and armour, bearing banners of the competing teams.

Once the two parades have met, the game begins – the aim of the game is to win as many battles as possible. The battle in question is to push a wooden trolley (which weighs more than seven tons) into the opposing team's territory and thus claim ownership of the bridge.

Although the game began on a February day, these days, the annual battle takes place on the last Sunday of June.

Battle of the orange

Battle of the Orange

Background

The Battle Of The Oranges is said to represent two possible events. The most commonly held theory is that it represents an uprising against the cruel regime of a vicious tyrant. It's likely that the tyrant in question is Ranieri di Biandrate. In 1194, his castle was destroyed by the local population – the tyrant himself also came to a sticky end, and his downfall is where the real motive for this festival comes in.

Ranieri di Biandrate is said to claim that it was his right to sleep with any bride on her wedding night. In the case of one unwilling victim – a miller's daughter called Violetta – she refused and instead cut Ranieri's head off with a dagger. In the Battle Of The Oranges, a girl is selected to play the part of Violetta. The symbolic destruction of the tyrant's abode is represented by the throwing of the oranges – while the oranges themselves are said to represent Ranieri's head.

It's also worth noting that another theory about the annual battle is that it represents Violetta's stand against Holy Roman Emperor, Frederick of Swabia (also known as Barbarossa).

The Event

The Battle Of The Oranges attracts thousands of townspeople. The willing participants are then divided into nine separate teams who are then dressed in long, red Phrygran hats (which represent freedom). The teams then pelt oranges at each other with great gusto – originally, it is said that beans were first hurled at each other by the participants – then apples, before oranges became the familiar choice. The event is part of a traditional Ivrea carnival which takes place in around the third week of February (in 2012, it took place between the 18th and the 21st).

Traditional festival in italy

Traditional festivals and events

Italy hosts more 'traditional' events each year, as towns revive (or create) historical pageants and festivals. As well as attracting tourism, they appeal to the strong sense of pride Italians feel in their town. Although many have been established, or re-established, in recent years (including Venice Carnival, packaged for tourists in the 1980s), some are genuinely continuous traditions going back centuries. These events range considerably; some are showy, some are heartfelt, and some are both. Religious festivals are generally the events with the longest and most deeply felt traditions, and they can be fascinating for the respectful visitor, though they are not always as accessible as the more touristy spectacles. Italians don't just feel fierce loyalty to their town, but to their district, and many events - like Siena's Palio - involve competition between the different contrade, or districts, of a town. On the destination pages of this website you will frequently find references to important local events; a selection is provided below.

Many celebratory religious events happen throughout Italy, generally at Easter, on the feast day of the town's patron saint (a local public holiday) and sometimes for other more obscure reasons. Visiting the Amalfi Coast and Bay or Naples in summer, I have almost always come across some local celebrations: a Madonna being carried across the sea accompanied by musicians, fireworks from a village along the coast...

> Venice Carnival.
> Venice's other events and festivals.
> Festa della Bruna, Matera - my account of attending a passionate and colourful religious festival in the cave-town Matera, with remarkably pagan overtones.
> Palio in Siena - famous horse race which is a hugely important to locals and also a colourful show for tourists - if you can overlook the risks to the animals.
> An orange-throwing battle during Carnival in Ivrea, near Turin.
> Snake-charming procession in Cocullo, in the Abruzzo region, on St. Domenic's feast day.
> Easter celebrations during Holy Week (the Settimana Santa) are particularly notable in Sicily, where events include a famous Procession of the 'Mysteries' in Trapani.
> Flower festivals in towns including Noto, Sicily (May) and Genzano, near Rome (June).
> Human chess game in Marostica (September, even-numbered years).