The History of the Sagra del Tordo
The Sagra del Tordo was established in 1958 by the municipal tourist office Ente Turistico Comunale, later to become EPAST, with the aim of evoking the old Montalcino “ottobrate” (October Festivals).
And still today, just like in the Middle Ages, the Montalcino countryside – with its olive groves, vineyards and woods – is populated in October by migratory birds, especially thrushes, with “tordo” being the Italian word for thrush. In medieval times, hunters and falconers would venture into the countryside and return with rich prey. When they returned home, the community would gather at great banquets, amidst an atmosphere of feasting and sharing.
Inspired by these old customs, the Sagra del Tordo has been celebrated every last Sunday in October since 1958. The first two editions took place in the afternoon, inside the Fortress of Montalcino, where the Trescone, a traditional folk dance and song, was accompanied by a snack of roast thrush and local wine. The third edition, in 1960, was enriched. The re-enactment of the return from the hunt was introduced in the morning, culminating in the offering of game to the “Lady of the Fortress”.
The Districts and the Festival
In 1961, to make the festival even more exciting, the four Districts of Montalcino, Borghetto, Pianello, Ruga and Travaglio, were created. A cross was drawn ideally from Piazza del Popolo to identify the four sections of the historic centre, thus assigning each one to a district. The distinctive colours (red, white, blue and yellow) were designed, while the coats of arms were inspired by those carved on a tower of the Fortress. The first competition between the Districts rewarded the “best representation in costume”.
The decision was made in 1962 to introduce a competition that would become a symbol of the event. And so, the Archery Tournament was created as an elegant, sporty competition, perfectly in keeping with the spirit of the festival. In this way, victory became objective and measurable. The figurants in period attire were joined by the archers, strengthening the sense of belonging to the Districts, and making the event even more deeply felt and participatory.
The debut of the 'Apertura delle Cacce'
The Tournament of the ‘Apertura delle Cacce’ was also instituted in 1963, held in August to bridge the long gap between one edition of the Festival and the next, and to involve not only the residents of Montalcino, but also those who, despite living far away, continue to maintain strong ties with the town and could spend the month of August in Montalcino.
The Sagra del Tordo has become increasingly popular over the years. In 1980, the Italian Committee for Tourism officially included it in the national calendar of events in October, alongside prestigious events such as those held at Teatro a La Scala, the Arena of Verona and the Nativity of San Martino in Naples.
The Sagra del Tordo has continued to evolve from 1958 to the present day: from the regulations of the Archery contest, to the costumes of the Historical Parade, last renewed in 2022 to those in the districts. The food stalls once set up inside the Fortress and now at the Giardini dell’Impero: it is here that the traditional dishes of Montalcino are still served.
What has not changed is the spirit of the festival: celebrating Montalcino’s identity, history, and traditions.
