Palio dei Caci

Every last Sunday in October, during the famous food and wine festival Volterragusto, Volterra celebrates one of its most curious and goliardic traditions: the Palio dei Caci, an event that combines historical re-enactment with the festive soul of the town.

The stars of the event are the town’s eight contrade (districts), which compete in a truly unusual race: along the downhill stretch of Via Franceschini, each team must roll a wheel of cacio – the typical cheese of the Balze Volterrane – using only wooden paddles, trying to avoid straw obstacles and get to the finish line first.

The competition, inspired by the historic medieval “ruzzola,” has its roots in ancient peasant customs: cheese, a precious source of nourishment and commodity of exchange for shepherds, also became the protagonist of moments of collective leisure.

Today the Palio dei Caci represents a perfect synthesis of folklore, gastronomic culture and community spirit, in a lively and welcoming context that accompanies the tastings and events of Volterragusto.

Ph. Matteo Ribechini