The city of Volterra offers a wealth of opportunities for sports enthusiasts. In our area, sporting activities are highly distinctive and encompass unusual and sometimes unique themes. This dynamic lifestyle, therefore, attracts local districts, curious tourists, and many industry professionals. Volterra's mission statement also includes the goal of moving competitive activity beyond the gilded confines of stadiums and gyms and into the city center, fostering greater accessibility and a more engaging spectacle. So, what are the sporting events with a more international flavor that are worth watching, or even attending? Here are a few.
VOLTERRANIAN CHEESE PALIO
A truly unique local sport is the Palio dei Caci Volterrani. It takes place along Via Franceschini, one of the steep cobbled streets in the historic center. The contrade compete in a downhill obstacle race with the goal of reaching the finish line with their own wheel of pecorino cheese. The wheel must roll along a designated track, moving it exclusively with two small wooden paddles. It's guaranteed to be a source of laughter and the sight of spectacular "ruzzolate" (strange falls). It may not seem like it, but it takes a lot of skill to win.
ASTILUDIO
Flag-wavers can often be seen at parades, events, and folk festivals, accompanied by groups of musicians, mostly drummers, snare drums, and medieval trumpets, but not everyone knows that the flag game also features. The game is certainly not just a simple flag-waving game, but a combination of techniques and styles that make this activity a true sport. There are several specialties: traditional singles, traditional pairs, small teams, and large teams, and you can see them during the Astiludio, a historic Italian event that brings together the best Italian companies.
LUDUS BALISTRIS AND UT ARMENTUR BALISTARI
Among the niche sports, there's undoubtedly antique crossbow shooting. It was used for warfare, but today it's a hub of social gathering, blending tradition and sport. It takes place in Piazza dei Priori for two events each year: the Ut Armentur Balistari and the Ludus Balistris. The first is a tournament in which the districts of the city of Volterra compete, while the second is a broader tournament in which the best teams of the Italian Crossbow League compete. It may not seem like it, but hitting the bull's-eye of a dogwood tree with a bow barely larger than two euros from a distance of fifty meters without visual potentiometers is something beyond incredible. Seeing is believing!
PALIO OF THE CERA
Tug-of-war is a sport of rural origins pitting two teams against each other in a contest of strength. In Volterra, the contrade (districts) compete, and the Palio del Cero (Cero Palio) is held for the occasion. This name comes from the enormous wooden tower-shaped structure rising from the center of the rope, topped by a long, artistic candle. The game involves moving this enormous structure to one's side using the rope, thus claiming the candle above. It's a must-see, as a game like this, structured in this way, is unique in the world. Many participants, mostly local, are supported by professionals who are experts in this sport, some of whom are nationally recognized.
VOLTERRA – SAN GIMIGNANO RUNNING RACE
Running races are beautiful. In October, a truly unique one takes place, linking two very famous adjacent cities: Volterra, of course, and San Gimignano. A thirty-two-kilometer route, starting from the main square of one and ending in the central square of the other. The route is captivating because it passes through the surrounding woods and countryside, giving the wonderful feeling of a bucolic return to the past, amid rustic, ancestral, and primordial landscapes. You breathe in the healthy air and discover views far removed from the modernity of the twenty-first century. Participation here is a must, even if you're not a professional, because it's not rewarding to be a spectator.
MOTORCYCLE RIDE VOLTERRA – FOLLONICA
Along the same lines as the marathon, you can count on the Volterra-Follonica motorcycle ride. It's unique because it mirrors the Paris-Dakar format: it starts and finishes in distant and diverse locations, starting in the hills and ending at the sea. This non-competitive enduro-tourism sport event fosters a spirit of adventure along a route of approximately one hundred kilometers. A must-see for all fans of this motorcycle sport, both nationally and internationally. It's beautiful to see hundreds of motorcycles starting, so many that they fill the entire Piazza dei Priori, but even better if you participate. It's a unique experience!
SALINE HILL CLIMB TIME RACE – VOLTERRA
The hillclimb is a race against the clock on an uphill course, and Volterra seems perfect for this type of event. It combines motorcycle and car racing in two separate events: four-wheeled in May, and two-wheeled in September. Our city boasts the presence of these events since the 1950s, a golden age that brought the area considerable attention from television and newspapers. Races are still held today, but for driving enthusiasts, the race has been reduced to a speed parade of vintage cars that have made this race's history. For handlebars, however, it's still serious business!
RALLY RONDE LIBURNA
At its peak, the Sanremo Rally passed through our roads, a national race on a mixed dirt and asphalt surface, which extended almost entirely across Liguria, Piedmont, and Tuscany. Today, the Rally Ronde Liburna, organized by the Livorno teams, runs along the same route. Our two routes, Ulignano and Serraspina, are dirt roads and offer a free spectacle with natural seating on the surrounding hills. It's dusty, but the high-speed adrenaline is jaw-dropping, even for those who aren't passionate about motorsports. Drivers from the surrounding area are often accompanied by big names, and they come from all over the world.
UCI MTB ELIMINATOR WORLD CUP
As a spectator, the XCE Eliminator offers a thrilling experience. It's a new mountain bike race format in which four riders compete against each other in each stage. The two fastest riders advance to the next round, while the two slowest are eliminated from the race. It's no ordinary bike race, as the course unfolds at speed through the narrow streets of the historic center, complete with a series of obstacles, jumps, and artificial uphill and downhill ramps that require exceptional technical skill. It's a sport that's at times extreme, offering scenes and moments of great suspense.
