The identifying festivals with which the Town of Montalcino celebrates and evokes its historical and cultural traditions are: the Sagra del Tordo, the Opening of the Hunts, and the offering of the Candle to Maria Santissima del Soccorso, the town’s patron saint.
Sagra del Tordo
Founded in 1958, it takes place every year in Montalcino on the last weekend in October, evoking age-old popular traditions.
The event comes to life with an evocative historical procession featuring over one hundred and fifty participants, accompanied by folk dances and food stalls that celebrate local flavours. The day culminates with the Archery Tournament, in which archers from the four Districts of Montalcino, Borghetto, Pianello, Ruga and Travaglio, compete against each other.
Apertura delle Cacce
Thanks to the success of the Sagra del Tordo and the birth of the Districts, the ‘Apertura delle Cacce’ was instituted in 1963.
A summer archery tournament involving not only the residents of Montalcino, but also those who, despite living far away, continue to maintain strong ties with the town. This celebration is not only a folk event; it also commemorates the opening of the hunting season, which used to coincide with the second week of the month.
2025 Sagra del Tordo Program
- 18:30 p.m. | Piazza del Popolo Loggia of the Historic Town Hall
Presentation of the work by artist IRENE RASPOLLINI, which will be awarded to the winning district of the Archery Tournament.
- 11:00 a.m. | Piazza del Popolo
Dance by the Trescone folk group from Montalcino
- 11:30 a.m. | Piazza Cavour
The Historical Parade of the Municipality moves towards Piazza del Popolo
- 12:00 p.m. | Piazza del Popolo
Drawing of the archers from the four districts
- Ore 16:00 | Piazza Cavour
Departure of the Historical Parade for the Shooting Range
- Ore 16:45 | Shooting Range
Archery Competition ' Provaccia'
- From 9:00 a.m. | Through the city streets
Dance by the Trescone folk group from Montalcino
- 11:00 a.m. | Historic town hall
The Procession of the Ladies descends upon Piazza del Popolo
- 11:00 a.m. | Piazza Cavour
Departure of the Historical Parade to meet the Ladies in Piazza del Popolo
- 11:30 a.m. | Piazza del Popolo
The Town Crier announces the Festival and offering to the Podestà and his Lady
- 11:45 a.m. | Churchyard of the Church of Sant'Egidio
Blessing of the archers and the town of Montalcino
- 12:00 p.m. | Fortress
Delivery of arrows, presentation of the “Trophy” and farewell to the archers
- 15:15 p.m. | Piazza Cavour
Departure of the Historical Parade for the Shooting Range
- 15:45 p.m. | Campo di Tiro
Archery Tournament between the four Districts of the City
Information
Saturday, October 25 and Sunday, October 26
Tasting of typical Montalcino dishes at the stands of the four Quartieri (districts) in the Giardini dell’Impero.
A shuttle bus service will be available on Sunday, October 26.
Municipality of Montalcino: + 39 0577 80441 | www.comunedimontalcino.it | protocollo@comunemontalcino.com
Info and reservations for food and wine
Quartiere Borghetto: 347 355 5785 – 392 173 3775
Quartiere Pianello: 333 184 2637
Quartiere Ruga: 349 857 1957
Quartiere Travaglio: 340 242 1857
Ticket purchase
Saturday 25: free admission to the ‘Provaccia’ at the Shooting Range
Sunday 26: tickets for the Archery competition can be purchased at the food stands of the Four Districts of Montalcino (both Saturday and Sunday) and from 2:45 pm on Sunday at the Archery Range. Children up to 6 years old free.
The Historical Parade
The Historical Parade of about one hundred and fifty participants in costumes inspired by those of the early 15th century, parades through the town, decked with the coloured flags of the four Districts.
Archery Tournament
Since 1962, on the second weekend in August and the last weekend in October, the Archery Tournament has been held between the four Quarters of Montalcino under the town’s Fortress.
The Districts of Montalcino
The four Districts of Montalcino, Borghetto, Pianello, Ruga and Travaglio, represent the town’s beating heart.
The 'Trescone'
The Trescone is not just a dance, but a lively expression of the Tuscan rural tradition, capable of uniting generations and bringing joy wherever it is performed.
It was created in 1941, following the shooting of the historical film Pia dei Tolomei, with the name “Gruppo Popolaresco”, and became hugely successful in the province. Today, it is the emblem of the Identifying Festivals of the Town of Montalcino.
The Offering of the Candle
There is an invisible but enduring thread that binds the soul of Montalcino to its patron saint, the Madonna del Soccorso.
Starting on the evening of May 7, this bond takes shape in the gestures and rituals that mark the feast dedicated to the Virgin Maria.
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