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.

The Contrade, and their colours, are: Cagnano: green and blue Collazzi: yellow and green Le Coste: yellow and blue Gracciano: green and black Poggiolo: white and blue San Donato: white and red Talosa: yellow and red Voltaia: red and black 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 Contrada1974 Gracciano1975 Cagnano1976 Cagnano1977 Cagnano1978 Le Coste1979 Talosa1980 Le Coste1981 Gracciano1982 Poggiolo1983 Le Coste1984 Cagnano1985 Cagnano

Year Winning Contrada1986 Cagnano1987 Cagnano1988 Poggiolo1989 Cagnano1990 Cagnano1991 Cagnano1992 San Donato1993 San Donato1993* San Donato1994 San Donato1995 San Donato1996 Voltaia

Year Winning Contrada1997 Gracciano1998 San Donato1999 Gracciano2000 Gracciano2001 San Donato2002 Le Coste2003 Le Coste2004 Le Coste2005 Le Coste2006 Le Coste2007 Talosa2008 Talosa

Year Winning Contrada2009 Talosa2010 Gracciano2011 Gracciano2012 Poggiolo2013 Voltaia2014 Voltaia2015 Poggiolo2016 Voltaia2017 Voltaia2018 Poggiolo2019 Voltaia2020** N/A2021 Collazzi2022 Talosa2023 Voltaia

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

Race cancelled in 2020 due to COVID-19

See also Palio di Siena

References

External links Official website: http://www.braviodellebotti.com/ Discover Tuscany tourism: http://www.discovertuscany.com/montepulciano/bravio-delle-botti.html