Events in Grosseto and the surrounding area: detail
From August 19 2008 to August 19 2008
The Gallops of the 19th
This popular festival reconstructs a miraculous event which took place in Scarlino in 1855 when the cholera epidemic afflicting the city suddenly ended. Today, on August 19 every year the village is cast into a fantastic light to recreate this event. The inhabitants of the three districts of Scarlino (Rocca, San Donato and the Centre) are challenged in a competition held from 9 a.m. until midnight.
The night before 19 August, the village is decorated with wooden cathedrals, papier-mache castles, fountains and much more - to such an extent that the village is unrecognisable to its own inhabitants.
The official festival begins in the afternoon with an historic procession of ladies and knights in medieval costume. The procession heads for the Castle and there the competition between the archers of the three districts is held.
Immediately afterwards, the village is transformed into a racetrack and the runners from the districts are challenged in an unrestrained race through the village's winding streets.
In the evening towards sunset, the performances begin: in a sort of large open-air theatre, the streets are filled with actors and singers (from the districts) miming and reciting a situation chosen by the organising committee.
The festival reaches its conclusion around midnight when the jury rewards the winning district and everyone explodes with joy or rage.
Information
Commune of Scarlino
Tel. 0566.38529
Nozio © 2008
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