The Tonna race in Civita Bagnoregio... - Secret World

01022 Civita VT, Italia

by Floriana Sala

Twice a year, however, in June and September it comes alive with color, music and festive cheer: the first Sunday in June and the second Sunday in September are the dates of the Tonna Both religious holidays, one dedicated to Our Lady Liberator, the other to the Holy Crucifix, offer in the calendar of festivities the Tonna precisely. The Tonna is a very old square race reminiscent of the Palio di Siena, but it is run on the back of a donkey. Donkeys, protagonists of the past life of Civita di Bagnoregio, as the only means of transportation to reach the village among the steep paths that climbed up to the top of the cliff, are the protagonists of this race that has very ancient origins. According to the rules of the Tonna, jockeys must run three laps of the San Donato square, in the round, hence round square or "tonna" precisely, and, after a series of selection races, arrive to contest the final race. The winner takes home the "Palio." the banner depicting the event's patron saint is painted each year by a local artist.