The horses from the various participating districts run with ardor in the Empty Races, livening up the Renaissance streets of the village. The Empty Races are held for the feast of the Patron Saint S. Bartolomeo, at the end of August.
The Empty Horse Race or Barber Race, is a game perhaps of Greco-Roman origin and certainly very popular during the Renaissance in Rome. Different from carousels or quintanas, it is a free horse race without a jockey.
numerous events are also organized in the weeks preceding the competition, the various districts set up stands in Piazza Vittorio Emanuele, offering the public the opportunity to savor a variety of street delicacies .
The palio has always been held on the same 800 meter course.
The start, or “move”, is the highlight of empty runs.
It is a ritual in Piazza Principe di Piemonte where the Mossiere starts the race. He calls the Lascini with their horses held by a curb, waits to enter the stalls and, having closed the last gate, opens an envelope where the departing seconds are indicated. Then he releases the rope shouting “go!”.
The race goes crazy continuing along Viale Garibaldi, passing under Porta Romana, “the arch”, then Via Roma to face, amid the excitement of the public, the entrance into Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II, “ship square”, and the famous “del Gricio” curve. This is the last commitment before climbing along Corso Umberto I, “Montecavallo”, and reaching the finish line, stopped by the Chiappini, four for each district.
Ronciglione is divided into nine districts which together with the city institutions, from the beginning to the end of the competition, defend and pamper the horse, which is therefore respected by everyone, precisely for this function.
In short, a Horse Festival which takes place for the horse and with the horses, who are the only protagonists, because they can run as nature has always taught them to do, when they want to be free.
Exciting and thrilling moments: the horses in their incredible gracefulness gallop at full speed; the crowd, as the horses pass, shouts, jumps, raises their arms in admiration.
Tourists and in particular foreigners are welcome, indeed they always have a place of honor in the various preparatory and convivial phases because, for the people of Ronciglione, making known this wonderful tradition of almost 500 years has been and it is always a pride and a moral obligation handed down by the old wise men of the Empty Racing.
WHEN
This event generally takes place every year towards the end of August
The reported events may be subject to changes or cancellations.
It is always advisable to inquire in advance to confirm the event and the dates
Event Type: Free
For information, dates and events, visit the site indicated at the end of the article
Palio of San Bartolomeo
Ronciglione (Viterbo)
Lazio – Italy