Bravio delle botti

The Bravio delle botti (Bravio of the barrels) is an annual race held in the Italian town of Montepulciano since 1974, replacing an equivalent horserace dating back to 1373. Teams of two runners (spingitori) representing the eight districts of the town (contrade) compete to be the first to roll an 80 kg wine barrel through the streets of the historic centre from the Colonna del Marzocco to the finish on the Piazza Grande, the cathedral square. The total distance is approximately 1800m and is uphill for nearly the entire course. As the streets are narrow and the barrels cumbersome to manoeuvre, collisions are frequent.

The word "bravio" derives from the latin Bravium meaning "to be won". It refers to the prize given to the winning Contrada - a painted cloth bearing the image of the patron saint of the city.

External video
Official video of the 2012 race
Official video of the 2014 race

The Contrade, and their colours, are:[1]

Related festivities are held throughout the week of the Bravio including processions, religious blessing, practice runs, and parties hosted at each of the team headquarters.

Winners

Year Winning Contrada
1974 Gracciano
1975 Cagnano
1976 Cagnano
1977 Cagnano
1978 Le Coste
1979 Talosa
1980 Le Coste
1981 Gracciano
1982 Poggiolo
1983 Le Coste
1984 Cagnano
1985 Cagnano
Year Winning Contrada
1986 Cagnano
1987 Cagnano
1988 Poggiolo
1989 Cagnano
1990 Cagnano
1991 Cagnano
1992 San Donato
1993 San Donato
1993  San Donato
1994 San Donato
1995 San Donato
1996 Voltaia
Year Winning Contrada
1997 Gracciano
1998 San Donato
1999 Gracciano
2000 Gracciano
2001 San Donato
2002 Le Coste
2003 Le Coste
2004 Le Coste
2005 Le Coste
2006 Le Coste
2007 Talosa
2008 Talosa
Year Winning Contrada
2009 Talosa
2010 Gracciano
2011 Gracciano
2012 Poggiolo
2013 Voltaia
2014 Voltaia
2015 Poggiolo

  A second race was held in 1993 in support of the Italian Telethon

See also

References

  1. "Contrade | Bravio delle Botti di Montepulciano". www.braviodellebotti.com. Retrieved 2015-08-31.

External links

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