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Bravio delle Botti in Montepulciano on the last Sunday in August

The interesting Barrel Rolling Contest between the eight neighborhoods of the beautiful Tuscan village of Montepulciano. The race consists in pushing a big cask for 2 kilometers, empty wine barrels, through the narrow streets up to the cathedral in Piazza Grande. A dexterity and power competition between "pushers", in an environment of fair contradas rivalry.

Casks represent the strong link of this land and of this people with wine production.

Every street and every house displays the colors of its own contrada and every citizen, young or old, is directly involved in the celebrations. Every contrada organizes shows, lunches and dinners, competing with the other contradas to offer the best products, waiting for the expected ceremonies: marking of the casks, flag weaver’s rehearsals and pushers training. The "Bravìo delle Botti", held on last Sunday of every August, has its origins from the 14th century.

At that time, during the big yearly fair, held in August together with the feast of patron saint of Montepulciano, one of the events organized to attract people from the nearby villages was a horse race. Anybody was entitled to participate in the race, even foreigners, who on their horses competed for the prize.

In the 17th century the "Bravìo" was cancelled for "law and order" reasons, and fell into oblivion.

The ancient tradition was recovered by the passionate initiative of Don Marcello del Balio, parish priest in Montepulciano in the '70s.

For more information visit

• Bravio delle Botti