Anghiari is preparing to welcome the twentieth edition of the Palio della Vittoria, an event that attracts the attention of the entire surrounding area. On Friday evening, on the terrace of the Teatro dei Ricomposti, the usual ceremony was held to present the cloth that the municipalities participating in the event will compete for: a high quality production, created this year by the women of Tombolo of Anghiari.
Organized by the cultural association of the same name, the Palio della Vittoria is held every year on 29 June, the day of Saints Peter and Paul, in commemoration of the historic battle of 1440, which saw Anghiari as the protagonist and which inspired the mysterious work of Leonardo Da Vinci.
The program of the event
The initiatives will start at 6.30pm, with the historical re-enactment of the Battle. Mayors, knights and historical processions of Anghiari, Sansepolcro, Florence and Arezzo will parade in Piazza Baldaccio, creating a fascinating atmosphere that will culminate with “the craziest race in the world” at sunset.
The athletes from the various participating municipalities will compete in a 1440 meter long foot race, having the possibility of physically hindering each other or helping the team captain through holds, pushes and tackles. This authentic sporting battle will be made even more challenging by the steep slopes of the Ruga di San Martino, the characteristic climb of Anghiari which will take the athletes to the finish line in Piazza Baldaccio. The competition will reward not the individual, but the municipality he represents, which will receive the coveted Palio. After the awards ceremony, the victory dinner will take place along the ancient walls of the town, accompanied by musical interludes by the Compagnia dei Ricomposti.
“The organizational machine has been at work for some time for this eagerly awaited event, both by the people of Anghiari and by the entire surrounding area – underlines Valter Capacci, president of the cultural association Palio della Vittoria – Being the twentieth edition, we are preparing many new features to offer even more more emotions for those who come to Anghiari. This year’s Palio was created by the women of Tombolo and it is truly wonderful. There will be many new municipalities participating in the race, with perhaps a record number of athletes at the start collaboration with the Pietro Mascagni Philharmonic, we have also enriched the Historical Procession of Anghiari from a musical point of view, inserting a brass band”.
As a lead-up to the main event, the date has already been set for the Blessing of the Palio and the “provaccia”, open to all athletes who wish to “test their legs” on the demanding climb, which will be held on Sunday 23 June at 8pm: 45.
