Proclama del Gonfaloniere
Saturday 17th August, officially opens the week of events for the Bravìo delle Botti, with the traditional Proclamation of the Gonfaloniere, which will mark the beginning of the competition between the eight districts of Montepulciano.
Starting at 21:30 the representatives of each district, divided into thirds, will march in procession through the city, starting from their home territory to reach Piazza Grande. Starting from 22:00 the ceremony with the reading of the Proclamation and the greeting by the Gonfaloniere will be held.
Then the festivities with the Flag Wavers and drummers of Montepulciano will start, and another show will begin, to entertain the audience.
Corteo dei Ceri
The evocative Procession of the Candles is traditionally held on the Thursday before the race between the districts. At 21:00 the parade from the Marzocco Column will start and it will march through the city, up to Piazza Grande, through a charming atmosphere, lit only by torches.
In Piazza Grande at 22:00 the offering of candles in the name of St. John the Beheaded will be held and there will be the flag waving, performed by the flag wavers and drummers of Montepulciano.
Bravio delle Botti
The final day of the week of events, of the Bravìo delle Botti, is focused on the race between the eight districts, with the barrel pushers who will go through the streets of the old town of Montepulciano, pushing their respective barrel up through the winding streets to the Cathedral square.
The day begins in Piazza Grande at 10:00 in the morning with the extraction of the starting positions. The display of ensigns and the participation of townsfolk will be the backdrop of the branding of the barrels and the flag waving in the cathedral square. At 12:00 at the Cathedral of Montepulciano the offering of candles to St. John the Beheaded, patron saint of the town, will be held.
The historical procession will depart at 15:00 from the Marzocco Column and will march through the city streets, to reach Piazza Grande. As always, the race will start from the Marzocco Column at 19:00, and after about ten minutes the cloth will be given to the winning district.
Arca d'Argento
The 2024 edition of the Bravio delle Botti ends with the celebrations held on Sunday, on September. From 10:00 in the morning, there will be a parade through the city, starting from the town hall, to reach the Sanctuary of St. Agnes for the Holy Mass, while flag waving by flag wavers and drummers of Montepulciano will follow.
From 16:30, the festivities move to Teatro Poliziano with the citation of many awards, from the best flag bearers and drummers, to the photo contest “Moments of Bravìo” by Photoclub Poliziano, and to the recognition “Bravìo nel Cuore” to the “Arca d’Argento” for the best historical parade.
