While the famous Palio race of Siena pits neighborhoods against each other on horses, the Palio delle Botti in Corropoli (Abruzzo) gives a whole new meaning to the phrase, “roll out the barrel”.
A village tradition since the 1450s, the ten contrade (neighborhoods) bring on their strongest competitors to push a 150-pound barrel through the streets in an annual rite that gives thanks for the fruits of their labors and the fruit of the vine. How did this raucous race get started: The barrels, barren of the previous year’s vintage, were rolled into town to be cleaned and readied for the upcoming harvest, and the annual rite then evolved into a competition.
The participants, amusingly called “pushers,” (spingitori in Italian) build strength and work on their techniques all year in hopes of garnering the coveted Palio banner.
The spingitori work as a team of four. Each team gets two runs, which start by circling the main piazza, then they hit the open strada and shove the barrel as fast as they can through two sections of town to complete a loop towards the finish line. One wrong push from any of the team members could result in the barrel wobbling –or worse – going astray into the crowd.
Beforehand, the barrels are publicly assessed to ensure they weigh the required 150 pounds and are carefully examined to make sure they have not been tampered with. Once approved, they are branded on each end. There is an adorable children’s mini-barrel competition, too.
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The winners are awarded a hand-painted Palio on the balcony of the Palazzo Civico, a public honor that will give them bragging rights until next year. And of course wine is passed around, food is grilled and proferred, and a down-home party atmosphere pervades the small town.