Apertura delle Cacce
The summer tournament that involves the people of Montalcino and those who, despite living far away, maintain strong ties with the Town.
The morning of the 'Apertura'
The Sunday morning of the ‘Apertura’ begins with the town crier on horseback who, escorted by the Montalcino standard, drums and clarion trumpets, rides through the streets of the town to the headquarters of the four Districts, Borghetto, Pianello, Ruga and Travaglio, to announce the start of the Celebrations.
In the meantime, the ‘garzoni’ and ‘donzelle’ of the Trescone, dressed in the typical attire of the 19th-century Tuscan countryside, perform dances and songs accompanied by accordions, inviting everyone to join in the festivities.
The afternoon of the 'Apertura'
The Historical Parade sets off in the afternoon from Piazza Cavour, with around one hundred and fifty figurants dressed in costumes inspired by the early 15th century and designed with meticulous care by renowned costume designers.
The town streets come alive with the colours of the flags of the four Districts, the fanfare of the clarion trumpets, the roll of the drums, and the deep sound of the horns, which mark the pace of the procession to Piazza Garibaldi. Here, on the parvis of the old church of Sant’Egidio, the archers, who are the undisputed protagonists of the afternoon’s tournament, are blessed.
The Historical Parade then makes its way to the 14th-century Fortress, where the Podestà and his Lady hand the captains of each District the arrows needed for the Archery Contest. At the same time, the silver medal (a gold medal every ten years) and the work of art to be awarded to the winning District are presented.
The Historical Parade sets off again towards the shooting range, set up under the ramparts of the Fortress. It is here that the excitement is ignited: rivalry, anticipation, and the spirit of competition become palpable, while everyone’s attention is focused on the archers, ready to defend the colours of their District.
At the signal from the field captain, the first four archers – one from each District – and then the second four archers, shoot five arrows each at the wild boar targets in four successive rounds, each with increasing distances and successively higher scores.
The District with the highest score wins the contest. The field captain presents the winning District with a silver medal – or a gold one, every ten years – together with the work of art symbolising the victory.
2025 'Apertura delle Cacce' program
- 18:30 p.m. | Piazza del Popolo Loggia of the Historic Town Hall
Presentation of the work by artist Claudio Bindi, which will be awarded to the neighborhood that wins the Tomeo archery competition.
- 11.00 a.m. | Piazza del Popolo: Dance by the Trescone folk group from Montalcino
- 12.00 p.m. | Piazza del Popolo: Drawing of the Archers of the Districts
- 5.45 p.m. | Piazza Cavour: Departure of the Historical Parade for the Shooting Range
- 6.30 p.m. | Shooting Range: Archery “Provaccia”
- 10.00 a.m | The town crier announces the festival throughout the city streets.
- 4.50 p.m. | Piazza Cavour: Departure of the Historical Parade
- 5.15 p.m. | Piazza Garibaldi: Blessing of the Archers from the Churchyard of Sant'Egidio
- 5.30 p.m. | Fortezza: Archery ceremony and farewell to the archers
- 6.30 p.m. | Shooting Range: Archery competition between the city's four districts
